Nigeria v Benin live: Super Eagles seal play-off spot as South Africa qualify for World Cup | OneFootball

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Victor Osimhen powered Nigeria to an emphatic 4-0 win over Benin to guarantee the Super Eagles a play-off lifeline in their hunt for 2026 World Cup qualification.

Osimhen bagged a hat-trick before Frank Onyeka fired in a 91st-minute volley to take Nigeria’s tally for the night to four, the advantage needed to ensure they ended CAF qualifying as one of the four best second-placed teams.

In doing so, they denied Benin - who started the day as Group C leaders - a first ever World Cup appearance, ending the group stage level on 17 points but with a superior goal difference.

Neither were able to pip South Africa to top spot, with Bafana Bafana comfortably dispatching Rwanda 3-0 to seal their place at a first World Cup finals since they hosted the tournament in 2010.

Report: South Africa qualify for first World Cup in 16 years while Nigeria handed play-off lifeline

South Africa have qualified for their first World Cup since hosting the tournament 16 years ago, although they had Nigeria partially to thank for their progress.

South Africa beat Rwanda 3-0 in Nelspruit to finish first in Group C as Benin, who had a two-point lead going into the final round of fixtures, tumbled from top place to third in the standings after being thumped 4-0 by Nigeria in Uyo.

Victor Osimhen grabbed a hat-trick to keep Nigeria’s hopes alive as they seek to advance to a playoff next month for the four best runners-up from the nine African qualifying groups.

South Africa finished on 18 points, with Nigeria runners-up ahead of Benin on goal difference as both ended with 17 points.

Full report:

Mark Gleeson14 October 2025 20:30

WATCH: The moment South Africa booked their place at the 2026 World Cup

Will Castle14 October 2025 19:45

Scenes in South Africa

(AP)

(REUTERS)

(REUTERS)

Will Castle14 October 2025 19:30

South Africa CONFIRM place at 2026 World Cup

While Nigeria will celebrate their guaranteed play-off, the party won’t be nearly as loud as in South Africa, who have booked their place at their first World Cup since hosting the competition in 2010.

Bafana Bafana comfortably beat Rwanda 3-0, with Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appolis and Evidence Makgopa bagging the all-important goals.

Appolis also notched two assists in a standout performance.