Nigeria's Super Eagles have successfully qualified for the CAF playoff round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, keeping their aspirations alive despite narrowly missing out on automatic qualification. This achievement followed a resounding 4-0 victory over Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Star striker Victor Osimhen was the undeniable standout performer, netting a brilliant hat-trick, while Frank Onyeka sealed the emphatic win with a fourth goal in stoppage time. This crucial victory ensured Nigeria finished as one of Africa's four best runners-up, securing their playoff spot after South Africa topped Group C with a 3-0 win over Rwanda.

The journey to the playoffs has been a test of resilience for the Super Eagles, who managed back-to-back wins for the first time in this qualifying campaign against Lesotho and then Benin. Under the guidance of Eric Chelle, the team displayed renewed purpose, with Osimhen leading by example and Samuel Chukwueze providing vital creative assists. Chukwueze registered two assists against Benin, contributing to Osimhen's early goal just three minutes into the game and a second with a pinpoint cross in the 37th minute. Osimhen completed his hat-trick in the 51st minute from a Moses Simon free-kick, further cementing his impact.

Victor Osimhen's hat-trick was particularly significant, not only for securing the team's playoff berth but also for his personal milestone. The Galatasaray striker's treble increased his international tally to 29 goals for the Super Eagles, bringing him within eight goals of legendary Rashidi Yekini's all-time record of 37 goals, a record that has stood for over two decades. This performance has fueled belief that Osimhen, at 26, could surpass Yekini's milestone before the 2026 World Cup. CAF lauded Osimhen as the 'main man' for Nigeria, highlighting his clutch performance.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff structure for Africa involves a mini-tournament in Morocco from November 13 to 16, 2025. Nigeria will face Gabon in one semi-final on Thursday, November 13, while Cameroon will battle the Democratic Republic of Congo in the other. The winners of these single-leg semi-finals will then proceed to a single-leg final on Sunday, November 16, with the victor representing Africa in the inter-confederation playoffs. Should Nigeria defeat Gabon, they will face the winner of the Cameroon vs. DR Congo match.

Captain William Troost-Ekong expressed confidence in the team, stating they will be 'ready for any opponent.' This sentiment comes amidst Gabon captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's declared ambition to lead his nation to their first-ever World Cup. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also extended his congratulations to the Super Eagles, urging them to keep the hope alive and assuring them of the federal government's support. The inter-confederation playoffs, scheduled for March 2026 in North America, will feature six teams competing for the final two World Cup slots. Nigeria is determined to return to the global stage after missing out on Qatar 2022.

Individual performances beyond Osimhen's hat-trick were also crucial. Frank Onyeka's late goal, scored almost two years after his last international goal, proved pivotal, ensuring Nigeria edged out Burkina Faso on goal difference. Moses Simon contributed two assists in the qualifiers, bringing his total to three, showcasing his consistent performance. Samuel Chukwueze's creative touch continued, registering five assists in total for Nigeria. Other noteworthy facts included Olakunle Olusegun's first competitive goal and Terem Moffi's return to the national setup in 2025. Former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr, now with Benin, expressed pride in Osimhen's development despite the striker's decisive performance against his current team. The joyous mood among the team, including Calvin Bassey lifting NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, reflected the rekindled hopes of a nation.