Nigeria's Super Eagles faced Benin's Cheetahs in a highly anticipated Group C qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Both teams harbored aspirations of securing a place at the global tournament in North America. Heading into the match, the qualification scenario was complex: Benin was at the top of the group, and Nigeria, despite a recent 2-1 victory over Lesotho, faced an 'uphill task' needing a substantial win to keep their automatic qualification hopes alive. Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, who deemed this 'maybe the most important game of his career,' alongside Captain William Troost-Ekong, acknowledged the challenging encounter, emphasizing the need for focus and a winning mentality.

Ahead of the crucial fixture, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle made tactical adjustments, notably dropping captain William Troost-Ekong from the starting eleven. Semi Ajayi partnered with Calvin Bassey at the heart of the defense, while Zaidu Sanusi returned at left-back, replacing Bruno Onyemaechi. Samuel Chukwueze started on the wing in place of the suspended Ademola Lookman, linking up with star striker Victor Osimhen upfront. The Cheetahs, managed by former Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr, had enjoyed a commendable campaign, adding another layer of intrigue to the contest.

The Super Eagles delivered a spectacular and dominant performance, thrashing the Benin Republic 4-0. Talismanic striker Victor Osimhen was the undisputed hero, netting a breathtaking hat-trick with goals in the 3rd, 37th, and 51st minutes. His flawless display—characterized by pristine touches, accurate passes, and immaculate movement—silenced critics and delivered the crucial goals Nigeria desperately needed. Substitute Frank Onyeka sealed the emphatic victory with a spectacular volley in the 91st minute, following an assist from Moses Simon, ensuring Nigeria secured a playoff spot for the 2026 World Cup.

Individual player performances were largely positive, as assessed by Pulse Sports. Stanley Nwabali (5.5/10) made key saves despite some clumsiness. Benjamin Fredrick (5.5/10) showed decent defensive efforts. Semi Ajayi (7.0/10) admirably filled in for Troost-Ekong, dominating aerial duels. Calvin Bassey (6.5/10) maintained his consistent defensive standard, contributing to a clean sheet. Zaidu Sanusi (6.5/10) impressed on his return, being brilliant defensively and aiding progression. Wilfred Ndidi (6.0/10) provided energy and ball-winning capabilities, though lacking incisive passing. Alex Iwobi (6.5/10) was omnipresent in midfield. Moses Simon (5.5/10) had a disappointing game overall but delivered the crucial late assist for Onyeka. Samuel Chukwueze (7.5/10) shone as the playmaker, assisting Osimhen's first two goals before an injury forced his substitution. Akor Adams (5.5/10) pressed well but was overshadowed by Osimhen. Victor Osimhen earned a perfect 10/10 for his almost flawless, hat-trick scoring performance. Substitutes Olakunle Olusegun (4.5/10) and Tolu Arokodare (4.5/10) had less impact, while Frank Onyeka (7.0/10) scored the crucial fourth goal, and Bruno Onyeamachi (6.0/10) maintained defensive quality.

Despite Nigeria's commanding 4-0 victory, it was not enough for automatic qualification. The Bafana Bafana of South Africa defeated Rwanda 3-0 in their concurrent match, ultimately clinching the top spot in Group C with 18 points and securing automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria, with 17 points, finished among the four best runners-up in the CAF qualifiers, thus earning a spot in the intercontinental playoffs scheduled for November 2025 in Morocco. Osimhen’s hat-trick indirectly paved the way for South Africa's qualification by ensuring a favorable outcome in the group standings, allowing South Africa to win the group.

The outcome sparked significant reactions. Victor Osimhen received widespread praise from Nigerians and South Africans alike, who hailed him as a savior for his masterclass performance that secured Nigeria's playoff spot and indirectly aided South Africa's automatic qualification. Coach Eric Chelle, despite some lingering questions about his tactics, saw pressure alleviated by the result, having successfully guided the team to the playoffs. However, the Super Eagles' campaign highlighted deeper issues, with criticism directed at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for managerial instability and alleged incompetence throughout the qualifying campaign, alongside players being urged to take responsibility for earlier dropped points. The decision to bench captain William Troost-Ekong also generated mixed reactions among fans, though the team's solid defensive display provided some validation for the tactical shift.