*People&Politics Accurately Predicts S/Eagles’ Situation
Nigeria qualified for the playoffs of the 2026 World Cup after cruising to a 4-0 victory over Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium,Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Tuesday night,14 October.
Victor Osimhen was the star of the show as he plundered a hat-trick before Frank Onyeka added gloss to the scoreline with a fourth goal at the death.
As correctly predicted by People&Politics in our story headlined ‘Nigeria Will Not Qualify If Bafana Beat Rwanda’ published on Saturday, 11 October, 2025, Eric Chelle’s side finished second in Group C behind South Africa on the log after the men of the late Nelson Mandela’s country walloped Rwanda 3-0.
However, after pipping the Cheetahs of Benin on goal difference, Nigeria kept their World Cup hopes alive as one of the best fourth-placed teams amongst the nine runners-up.
The Super Eagles came into the clash trailing group leaders Benin by three points in third place after both of them won their matches on 10 October.
The hosts got off to the best possible start when Samuel Chukwueze played in Osimhen with a defence-splitting pass and the striker slotted home inside the right post for a third-minute lead.
Gernot Rohr’s side looked to respond and Steve Mounie fired a tame shot straight at goalie Stanley Nwabali from close range on 14 minutes after latching onto a cross.
Chances continued to come at both ends as Osimhen directed a header over the crossbar from Chukwueze’s cross on 22 minutes before Andreas Hountondji hit the side-netting from an angle on the right following a good move down that flank.
But it was the home fans who were celebrating again on 37 minutes after Chukwueze and Osimhen linked up to good effect once more, with the former delivering a pin-point cross for the latter to head home at the far post.
The Super Eagles put the game out of sight six minutes into the second half as Osimhen rose highest to steer Moses Simon’s free-kick in off the underside of the bar with his head.
Simon almost went from provider to goalscorer on 55 minutes as he forced Dandjinou into a fine save with a shot from close range.
Osimhen looked hungry for more goals and was denied a fourth by the out-stretched glove of Dandjinou, who pulled off a superb save to keep out his header in the 79th minute.
However, the Galatasaray star had to settle for a hat-trick in the end after being replaced by Tolu Arokodare two minutes later and walking off to well-earned applause from the supporters.
There was still time for substitute Onyeka to make his mark as he drilled a shot into the bottom left corner of the net following good work from Simon on the left to pick him out.
S/Africa Seal Automatic Qualification
Meanwhile, South Africa thrashed Rwanda 3-0 in their final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (Group C) match played at the Mbombela Stadium to book their ticket to the global showpiece.
The result saw Bafana Bafana qualify for the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA as Group C winners.
The Southern African giants will now play international friendly matches as they prepare for December’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Bafana Bafana got off to a brilliant start with Oswin Appollis causing havoc for the Amavubi defence.
The quick winger set up Thalente Mbatha, who netted with a powerful shot from outside the box to hand South Africa a 1-0 lead five minutes into the match.
The hosts doubled their lead four minutes before the half-hour mark after a good team move.
Appollis grabbed a well-deserved goal after being set up by his Orlando Pirates teammate Evidence Makgopa and South Africa were 2-0 up at the interval.
Hugo Broos’s side did not take their foot off the pedal after the restart as they continued to launch attacks and they extended their lead in the 72nd minute.
Appollis grabbed his second assist of the game as his corner-kick was headed home by Evidence Makgopa, who sealed South Africa’s 3-0 win.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Osimhen.
