Victor Osimhen scored a sensational hat-trick as Nigeria stormed to a 4-0 victory over the Benin Republic, dramatically clinching a place in the CAF World Cup qualification playoffs.

Eric Chelle’s men produced their finest performance of a disappointing Group C campaign. Osimhen opened the scoring just three minutes in, bursting through on goal to slot home with trademark precision.

The Galatasaray forward doubled his tally with a superb header eight minutes before halftime, once again assisted by the lively Samuel Chukwueze.

Chukwueze was forced off at halftime, but his replacement, Moses Simon, continued the creative spark, delivering the perfect cross for Osimhen to complete his hat-trick and claim the match ball.

However, with South Africa beating Rwanda 3-0 to top the group and secure automatic qualification, Nigeria still needed one more goal to secure a playoff berth through goal difference.

That decisive moment arrived in the 90th minute. Simon danced past his marker on the byline and lofted a delightful cross that substitute Frank Onyeka volleyed in emphatically — sending the Super Eagles and their fans into jubilation.

Onyeka’s strike proved crucial, giving Nigeria a superior goal difference to Group A runners-up Burkina Faso and lifting them into the top three of the overall second-place rankings. Even if DR Congo wins later on Tuesday, Nigeria will advance to next month’s four-team playoff to determine CAF’s representative in the inter-confederation playoffs.

The thrilling finish set social media ablaze, with fans from both Nigeria and South Africa sharing banter and gratitude online:

@Brightdollarcomedy: “Congratulations! All thanks to Seyi Tinubu — I just got my Bible!”

@Krazy-Boy Magaraba: “Thanks, Nigerians! Much love from South Africa. We’ll represent Africa well in America. 🇿🇦🙏”

@Nonyelum Anulika: “Thank God! Playoff confirmed. Congrats, Super Eagles. If only you had this form from the start.”

@Yung Bossu: “Na like this Super Eagles suppose dey play. All those small countries are not our mates.”

@Carl C’jo Makalela: “We only asked for 1-0, brothers, and you gave us 4-0! 🇳🇬🇿🇦 Our sour cousins in Zimbabwe won’t sleep tonight.”

@Siviwe Dash Sidesha: “What does this mean now? As South Africans, we’re happy because of Nigeria — if you need support, we’re here!”

@Muhammad Baba Goni: “Now I understand why Nigerians always write ‘I can work under pressure’ on their CVs.”

@Oliver Agye: “If only we started with this same energy, we wouldn’t need calculators now 😂.”

@Men vs Life: “South Africa is proud of you, Oga!”

@Chinaza Nwachukwu: “If Nigeria beats Benin and South Africa score two goals against Manchester United, then Lesotho play Newcastle — maybe Super Eagles need one point to beat Enyimba. Meaning, there’s still hope for Arsenal at the World Cup in Zimbabwe. Calculation na water! 😭😭”

Osimhen’s Hat-Trick Fires Nigeria into World Cup Playoff Drama

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