Nigeria Super Eagles beats the Cheetahs of Benin by four goals with Victor Osimhen scoring an hattrick in the match played at Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Eric Chelle’s side produced their best display of a dispiriting CAF Group C campaign, with Osimhen darting through on goal to open the scoring in the third minute.
The Galatasaray striker produced a sumptuous header eight minutes before halftime, with Samuel Chukwueze again providing a superb assist.
Fulham winger Chukwueze was forced off at halftime, but Moses Simon turned provider for Osimhen to claim the match ball.
But with South Africa beating Rwanda 3-0 to take top spot and automatic qualification, Nigeria still needed one more goal to guarantee a place in the playoffs to determine CAF’s representative in the inter-confederation playoffs.
That arrived in sensational fashion in the 90th minute, as Simon dribbled his way to the byline and dispatched a chipped cross that substitute Frank Onyeka volleyed home emphatically.
Also read: Super Eagles arrive Uyo, preparing against Cheetahs of Benin
Onyeka’s goal sparked wild celebrations because it gave Nigeria a better goal difference than Group A runners-up Burkina Faso, putting them third in the overall second-place rankings. Even if DR Congo beat Sudan later on Tuesday, Nigeria will progress to the four-team playoff next month to determine CAF’s entrant to the inter-confederation playoffs.
Benin started the day as Group C leaders, within touching distance of a maiden World Cup qualification. But they had the misfortune of running into a Nigeria side that turned up in the nick of time.
In a post on Super Eagles X’s handle on Tuesday, the Eagles announced four changes from their previous win over Lesotho, with Wilfred Ndidi named captain for the game.
The Nigeria Football Federation also confirmed that Moses Simon will make his 85th international appearance, while Victor Osimhen partners Akor Adams in attack.
“Four changes from our win over Lesotho. Ndidi leads the team tonight. Simon makes his 85th appearance. Osimhen partners Akor Adams up front,” the post read.
Substitutes are Adebayo, Ekong, Arokodare, Onyeka, Onyemaechi, Abdullahi, Obasogie, Uche, Moffi, Olusegun.
As the match kicked off, Victor Osimhen scored in the third minute courtesy of an assist from Samuel Chukwueze.
The Cheetahs of the Benin Republic are also pushing for an equalizer in the 12th minute of the match, but the attack was stopped by Calvin Bassey.
As of 14 minutes into the game, ball possession is Nigeria 58% and Benin 42%. While both teams are on one short on target each.
In the 22 minutes, Osimhen almost converted the cross made to him in the box but unfortunately was defended by a calm Beninoise defender.
In the 38th minute, Osimhen doubles the lead courtesy of another Samuel Chukwueze’s cross into the box. It is now 2-0 in Favour of the Super Eagles.
The Egyptian referee who serves as the first official for the game has added five minutes of extra time.
Benin Republic began the kickoff into the second half to put pressure on the Super Eagles.
Osimhen, again, again and again. The Super Eagles forward hit a hat-trick in the 51st minute.
The Super Eagles come knocking on the Cheetahs’ door again in the hunt for a fourth goal, but the effort was wasted by Wilfred Ndidi in the 68th minute.
Crediblenewsng.com
