CAF Releases Official Communication After Victor Osimhen’s Hat-Trick Against Benin Republic

According to a report from The Punch, The Confederation of African Football (CAF) lavished praise on Victor Osimhen after the striker produced a stunning hat-trick to power Nigeria to a 4–0 victory over Benin Republic in the final Group C match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The win revived Nigeria’s campaign and secured their place in the CAF playoff round.

Benin went into the tie sitting top of the group and needed only a draw to reach the World Cup for the first time, but Nigeria dismantled that plan with an early and relentless display.

Osimhen — now hailed by CAF as Nigeria’s “main man” — opened the scoring soon after kickoff following a neat one-two with Samuel Chukwueze and a close-range finish.

The pair combined again before halftime when Chukwueze floated in a cross that Osimhen met with a powerful header to make it 2–0.

Benin threatened briefly after the break, with Andreas Hountondji forcing a save from Stanley Nwabali, but any hope of a comeback was ended when Osimhen completed his treble in the 51st minute — a strong header from a Moses Simon delivery that hit the post before crossing the line.

Frank Onyeka put the gloss on the result deep into stoppage time to round out a memorable 4–0 scoreline.

CAF celebrated the performance on social media, posting catchy tributes and referring to Osimhen as the player who came through when it mattered most.

The three-goal haul was the striker’s first international hat-trick in two years and reinforced his reputation as one of Africa’s most dangerous forwards.

By finishing second in Group C, Nigeria join Gabon and Cameroon in the CAF playoff mini-tournament scheduled for November 2025.

South Africa’s victory elsewhere leapfrogged Benin into the group’s top spot, earning them automatic qualification while leaving Benin to rue missed opportunity.

The report also notes the intercontinental playoff structure for the 2026 World Cup: six teams — including two from CONCACAF and one each from CAF, AFC, CONMEBOL and OFC — will contest the final spots.

The four lowest-ranked sides will meet in semi-finals, with the two highest-ranked teams waiting in the finals; the winners of those finals will claim the remaining tickets to the global tournament, giving Nigeria another chance to return to the World Cup after missing the 2022 edition.