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President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Super Eagles on their emphatic 4-0 victory over the Cheetahs of the Benin Republic and commended the team for keeping the nation’s hope alive as they pursue qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The President praised the Super Eagles for the hunger, passion, and determination displayed on the field in Uyo, noting that the superlative performance has reignited Nigerians’ football pride.

”While the job is not yet complete, I join millions of Nigerian football fans in wishing our team every success in the playoffs,” Tinubu was quoted to have said in a statement signed by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga.

“The mood across the country reflects a shared belief that Nigeria deserves a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Canada, Mexico, and the United States will host.

“As your President, I assure you and the coaching crew of the Federal Government’s support as you strive to secure your place at the tournament. Nigerians everywhere believe in you, and I do too.

“We look forward to seeing you fly our flag proudly on the world stage.”

READ ALSO: Nigeria Thrash Benin 4-0, Set To Secure World Cup Play-Off Spot

Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick and Frank Onyeka’s goal secured the vital victory for Nigeria, but it was not enough to top the group, as South Africa also defeated Rwanda 3-0 to take that spot.

South Africa topped the group with 18 points, while Nigeria closely followed in second place with 17 points.

Despite a convincing 4-0 win over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic, the Super Eagles of Nigeria failed to secure automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick and Frank Onyeka’s goal secured the vital victory for Nigeria, but it was not enough to top the group, as South Africa also defeated Rwanda 3-0 to take that spot.

Can’t spell Victory without Victor.

Mainman Osimhen comes clutch for Nigeria once again. ⚽⚽⚽ pic.twitter.com/KVbWEfvJOG

South Africa topped the group with 18 points, while Nigeria closely followed in second place with 17 points.

With 17 points, Nigeria stands a strong chance of qualifying as one of the best runners-up, which would give the West Africans a second opportunity to reach the World Cup through the play-offs.

READ ALSO: We Want To Be At The World Cup — Troost-Ekong

Eric Chelle’s side delivered their best performance of a disappointing CAF Group C campaign, with Osimhen racing through the defense to score the opening goal in the third minute.

The Galatasaray striker delivered a brilliant header just eight minutes before halftime, brilliantly set up once again by Samuel Chukwueze’s precise assist.

Although Chukwueze was forced off at halftime due to injury, Moses Simon stepped in to provide the perfect pass for Osimhen to complete his hat-trick and claim the match ball.

Full-time in Uyo!

A dominant display from the boys; Victor Osimhen with a hat-trick and Frank Onyeka rounding it off in style.

Nigeria 4–0 Benin #SoarSuperEagles | #FIFAWCQ | #Naija4theWin pic.twitter.com/zguhidTLN3

However, with South Africa defeating Rwanda 3-0 to claim the top spot and automatic qualification, Nigeria still needed one more goal to secure a place in the playoffs that will decide CAF’s representative in the inter-confederation playoffs.

That crucial goal came in spectacular fashion in the 90th minute, as Moses Simon dribbled to the byline and delivered a perfectly chipped cross, which substitute Frank Onyeka volleyed emphatically into the net.

Onyeka’s goal ignited jubilant celebrations, boosting Nigeria’s goal difference above that of Burkina Faso, the runners-up in Group A, and securing them third place in the overall second-place standings.

This means that even if DR Congo wins against Sudan later on Tuesday, Nigeria is virtually assured a spot in the upcoming four-team playoff, where CAF’s representative for the inter-confederation playoffs will be decided.

Benin entered the day atop Group C, poised on the brink of their historic first World Cup qualification. But their hopes were dashed when they faced a revitalized Nigerian team that showed up exactly when it mattered most.

Playoffs

Only the best of the second-placed teams will advance—four out of nine will battle it out after Matchday 10 in the CAF qualifiers.

The seeding for the draw will be based on the FIFA Rankings set to be released on October 23, 2025.

Accordingly, the top-ranked team will be paired against the fourth-ranked, while the second and third-ranked teams will meet in the other semi-final.

Playoffs venue

Morocco has been officially confirmed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as the host nation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs.

A circular issued by Samson Adamu, CAF’s Director of Competitions and Events, informed all member associations of the schedule, location, and structure of the mini-tournament that will determine Africa’s qualifier for the 2026 World Cup intercontinental play-offs.

Date

According to the statement, the semi-finals will take place on November 13, 2025, with the final scheduled for November 16, 2025. Both matches will be held in Morocco.

Nigeria have taken a 1-0 lead against Benin Republic in their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, with star striker Victor Osimhen finding the back of the net.

It took the Galatasaray of Turkey striker just three minutes to open the scoring for the three-time African champions in Uyo.

The early goal gives the Super Eagles a vital lead as they look to secure all three points in the high-stakes encounter.

Nigeria must defeat their West African neighbours today to keep their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup alive.

Even with a victory, the Super Eagles will still be relying on results elsewhere, particularly hoping that South Africa fail to win against Rwanda, in order to secure automatic qualification.

The Swedish Football Association said Tuesday it had sacked national team coach Jon Dahl Tomasson following three straight losses in World Cup qualifying.

The FA said the decision, which had been taken on Tuesday and was effective immediately, was “based on a lack of results in the World Cup qualifiers”.

“There is still a chance to make the playoffs in March, and our responsibility is to ensure that we have the best possible conditions for reaching the World Cup finals,” Simon Astrom, president of the association, said in a statement.

READ ALSO: 2026 WCQ: Thousands Set For Pro-Palestine Demonstration Ahead Of Italy’s Game Against Israel

On Monday, Sweden lost to Kosovo 1-0 in Gothenburg thanks to a solitary strike by Fisnik Asllani of Hoffenheim.

Despite having Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres and Liverpool striker Alexander Isak starting together up front, Sweden have failed to even score in their last three matches and sit bottom of Group B.

Tomasson, a former Denmark international who notably played for AC Milan, Feyenoord, and Newcastle, assumed the role in February 2024.

Italy’s 2026 World Cup qualifier with Israel will be prefaced by a major pro-Palestinian demonstration on Tuesday as thousands of people prepare to march through Udine in anger at the hosting of a match they feel should not be played.

The Gaza ceasefire deal signed on Monday and a hostage and prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas has done nothing to dampen the resolve of around 10,000 protestors who will descend on the small city in Italy’s far north-east amid a massive security operation.

Over 1,000 police officers and army personnel have been deployed while helicopters and drones will fly overhead to keep a watch on a march which was to begin at 5:30pm (1530 GMT) and be kept several kilometres away from the Bluenergy Stadium hosting the Group I fixture later.

The security operation has been designed to stop disorder and ensure no-one gets near the stadium or the Israel team.

Udine was quiet in the hours before the demonstration due to a series of restrictions on bars and restaurants.

READ ALSO: Israel Returns 45 Palestinian Bodies To Gaza —Hospital

Checkpoints have been put up in a ring around the ground, with spectators having to pass concrete barriers and metal detectors in order to watch a match which is key to Italy’s bid to ensure they qualify for a World Cup for the first time since 2014.

“We’re obviously happy that the bombing has stopped,” said Carolina from Udine Committee For Palestine, who said she would not give AFP her surname.

The association is one of five — including Palestinian communities in the regions of Veneto and Fruili-Venezia Giulia — that have organised Tuesday’s march and they will welcome more than 340 activist groups from all over Italy.

“Our message isn’t only about what was going on in Gaza but also that we oppose the politics of occupation and apartheid that affects all Palestinians,” she added.

The association asks that football’s world governing body FIFA exclude Israel from international competition, “as already done with Russia”, in response to the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Match overshadowed

Tuesday’s demonstration comes after a smaller one in Oslo on Saturday, when a few hundred people gathered in the Norwegian capital.

Police used tear gas to disperse activists outside the Ullevaal Stadium which was the scene of a 5-0 win for Norway against Israel.

The head of the Football Association of Norway (NFF), Lise Klaveness, recently said Israel should be sanctioned. Italy’s federation, in contrast, has not made such a call.

“The Norwegian FA has begun taking a position against the presence of Israeli teams, there’s a totally different type of behaviour across the board compared to what you see here (in Italy),” said the activist Carolina.

Tuesday’s protest has overshadowed a match which will go a long way to deciding Italy’s World Cup fate.

Italy sit second in their five-team group, six points behind leaders Norway and three ahead of third-placed Israel with a game in hand on both.

A win would secure Italy at least second place and a spot in the play-offs, with only first place giving direct qualification for next year’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

However Italy, who have three fixtures left to play, would need Norway to slip up against Estonia next month to have a realistic chance of finishing top, due to the 19-goal gap in goal difference between the two teams.