Nigeria have confirmed their ranking as one of the four best runners-up in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) section of qualification of the World Cup after thumping Benin 4-0 on Tuesday evening in Uyo. Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen was the hero as he netted a superb hat-trick as the Super Eagles beat Benin by the required number of goals to leapfrog their neighbours in the table.
The next task was to claim victory by a four-goal margin to guarantee a play-off place. Nigeria looked to be falling short by one but a brilliant strike from Frank Onyeka in second half injury time sparked wild scenes inside the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. However, with Rwanda offering no favours against South Africa, Eric Chelle’s side had to settle for the runners-up and to reflect on a campaign which began in the worst possible fashion.
Benin missed out on qualification altogether despite beginning the day top of the table as Gernot Rohr’s return to Uyo ended in disappointment. Follow all the coverage back below with our dedicated match blog!
Nigeria vs Benin latest news
- GOAL! Onyeka fires Nigeria into play-offs
- GOAL! Osimhen seals hat-trick
- GOAL! Osimhen adds another
- GOAL! Osimhen fires Nigeria into early lead
Still hope for Nigeria
19:08 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNigeria beat Benin 4-0 to leapfrog their opponents and keep their World Cup dreams alive.
FULL-TIME
18:54 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNigeria 4-0 Benin
GOAL! Nigeria 4-0 Benin | Frank Onyeka ‘90
18:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne90 min: GOALLLLLLL
Frank Onyeka scores a fourth and a play-off place is in sight for Nigeria.
Superb wing play from Simon and his cross is converted by Onyeka!
Nigeria 3-0 Benin
18:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne88 min: Some Nigeria fans think there is a fourth goal to celebrate but Olusegun’s shot hits the side-netting.
Time-wasting here from Benin? Goalkeeper Dandjinou has gone down for treatment.
Nigeria 3-0 Benin
18:47 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne87 min: Olaitan is booked for a foul while Moffi replaces Iwobi as Nigeria hunt a fourth goal.
Nigeria 3-0 Benin
18:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne83 min: Benin, remarkably, despite being 3-0 down can still finish second. They need to score twice though to beat Nigeria on the head-to-head record.
Nigeria 3-0 Benin
18:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne82 min: According to the latest calculations, if Nigeria win by four goals they will GUARANTEE themselves a play-off spot.
Nigeria 3-0 Benin
18:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne81 min: Osimhen is substituted with 10 minutes to go and earns a standing ovation from the Nigeria supporters.
Arokodare is on to replace the hat-trick hero.
Nigeria 3-0 Benin
18:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne78 min: Osimhen denied his fourth goal of the game by a great save from Dandjinou as he gets across to divert the Nigeria striker’s header away for a corner.
Nigeria 3-0 Benin
18:36 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne77 min: Both Benin centre-backs are now on yellow cards and C. Hountondji tugs at Osimhen who would have been away at goal without that touch.
Nigeria 3-0 Benin
18:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne76 min: Terrific centre-forward play from Osimhen as he nods the ball into Iwobi’s path but the midfielder’s effort is swiftly charged down.
Nigeria 3-0 Benin
18:33 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne73 min: Zaidu’s evening is over. The Nigeria left-back leaves on a stretcher to be replaced by Onyemaechi.
Meanwhile, Onyeka replaces Adams.
Nigeria 3-0 Benin
18:32 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne72 min: News coming in from elsewhere, South Africa have extended their lead against Rwanda.
Nigeria 3-0 Benin
18:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne71 min: Olaitan goes for an ambitious attempt from the free-kick and his effort sails over the bar.
Nigeria 3-0 Benin
18:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne70 min: Benin living dangerously as Simon hunts down a back pass but Dandjinou stays calm and cooly picks out a team-mate who sidesteps Osimhen.
Nigeria 3-0 Benin
18:28 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne68 min: Dossou almost makes an immediate impact but Mounie can’t get on the end of the Benin substitute’s cross.
Nigeria 3-0 Benin
18:27 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne67 min: Bassey and Tosin go shoulder to shoulder and the Nigerian defender wins that battle.
Benin make a double change with Dodo and Tosin replaced by Amoussou and Dossou
Nigeria 3-0 Benin
18:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne63 min: Benin ask some questions of Nigeria defensively, but Zaidu is switched on to deal with the danger.
Nigeria 3-0 Benin
18:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne60 min: Zaidu is slipped in down the left but produces a poor cross at the end, much to the annoyance of Osimhen who was waiting in the middle.
Nigeria 3-0 Benin
18:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne58 min: Funnily enough, Osimhen’s latest goal doesn’t change anything.
Nigeria are still relying on a favour from Rwanda in terms of automatic qualification.
Nigeria 3-0 Benin
18:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne56 min: Benin make their first change of the evening.
On: Olaitan
Off: A. Hountondji
Nigeria 3-0 Benin
18:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne55 min: Another yellow card, this time for Semi Ajayi for his foul on Dandjinou following a corner.
Nigeria 3-0 Benin
18:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne53 min: WHAT A SAVE!
Simon thinks he is about to score Nigeria’s fourth by Dandjinou gets down low to make a superb stop.
GOAL! Nigeria 3-0 Benin | Victor Osimhen ‘51
18:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne51 min: GOALLLLLL
What a game Victor Osimhen is having as he seals his hat-trick early in the second half. Surely that’s Nigeria finishing above Benin in Group C.
Nigeria 2-0 Benin
18:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne49 min: Verdon is a bit too forceful with his tackle on Osimhen and goes into the book for his troubles.
Akor Adams then stings the palms of Dandjinou before Tijani is shown a yellow card for halting an attack.
Nigeria 2-0 Benin
18:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne48 min: Really good defending from Fredrick at the back post as he does enough to put Mounie off.
Nigeria 2-0 Benin
18:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne46 min: Nigeria have made a change at the break as Olakunle Olusegun replaces Samuel Chukwueze.
Wonder if the Fulham winger was carrying an injury.
KICK-OFF!
18:04 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBack underway in Uyo.
Can Benin get back into this? One goal for the visitors would change the entire picture.
Nigeria vs Benin live
18:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThis scoreline will be enough for Nigeria to finish above Benin in the table.
However, they are in need of a massive favour from Rwanda who are currently trailing South Africa by two goals.
Nigeria vs Benin live
17:54 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAs things stand, Benin will miss out on qualification.
Because of the result in the reverse meeting, if Benin lose 2-1this would set up the prospect of fair play points being used as the criteria to separate the two teams.
HALF-TIME!
17:49 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNigeria 2-0 Benin
Nigeria 2-0 Benin
17:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45+2 min: Andreas Hountondji does well to dig out a cross from the left-hand side, but Bassey cooly deals with the danger once again.
Nigeria 2-0 Benin
17:44 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne45 min: Strong defending from Bassey as he reads the danger and stops Benin from mounting a serious attack.
Five minutes of added time indicated.
Nigeria 2-0 Benin
17:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne42 min: Mounie is booked for a foul, frustration settling in for the visitors?
GOAL! Nigeria 2-0 Benin | Victor Osimhen ‘37
17:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne37 min: GOALLLL
Osimhen doubles the lead for Nigeria!
Nigeria 1-0 Benin
17:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne9 min: Benin just trying to take the sting out of the game, but they need to push players forward in search of a goal.
As thing stand, they are missing out on a top two finish.
Still a long way to go.
Nigeria 1-0 Benin
17:06 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne7 min: As things currently stand, Nigeria have dropped down to second because South Africa have also taken an early lead against Rwanda.
GOAL! Nigeria 1-0 Benin | Victor Osimhen ‘3
17:04 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne3 min: GOALLLLLL
What a start for Nigeria as they take an early lead through Victor Osimhen.
The Super Eagles striker latches on to Chukwueze’s pass and makes no mistake with a crisp finish.
Nigeria 0-0 Benin
17:01 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne1 min: Nigeria have set their intentions early on as Chukwueze looks for Osimhen’s run in behind but the ball over the top is too strong.
KICK-OFF!
16:59 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are underway in this World Cup qualifier.
Nigeria vs Benin live
16:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneRight then, the national anthems have been completed, the players have shaken hands and posed for a team photo.
HERE WE GO!
16:52 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe two teams have emerged from the tunnel at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
Kick-off is next!
Team news reminder
16:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere is how both teams will line-up today.
Nigeria XI: Nwabali; Fredrick, Ajayi, Bassey, Zaidu; Chukwueze, Iwobi, Ndidi, Simon; Adams, Osimhen.
Substitutes: Adebayo, Ekong, Arokodare, Onyeka, Onyemaechi, Abdullahi, Obasogie, Uche, Moffi, Olusegun.
Benin XI: Dandjinou; Ouorou, C. Hountondji, Verdon, Imourane, Mounie, Tosin, Kiki, Tijani, A. Hountondji, Dodo.
Substitutes: Fassinou, Tessilimi, Ahlinvi, Rachidou, Ahouangbo, Amoussou, Allagbe, Olaitan Ishola, Dossou, Kossi, Samadou, Obassa.
CONFIRMED BENIN TEAM NEWS
16:47 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe official line up graphic for the visitors...
📋✅ 𝙇𝙀 𝙊𝙉𝙕𝙀 𝘿𝙀 𝘿𝙀𝙋𝘼𝙍𝙏 du Bénin pour affronter le Nigéria !#AllezLesGuépards 🐆🇧🇯#NIGBEN | #WCQ2026 pic.twitter.com/AgrvWXhWqJ
— Bénin Football 🇧🇯🐆 (@FootballBenin) October 14, 2025
Not long now!
16:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAround 15 minutes to go until kick-off in this crucial World Cup qualifier!
Nigeria vs Benin live
16:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleynePremier League fans will remember Steve Mounie from his time in England with Huddersfield Town.
The 31-year-old is still going strong and leads the line for Benin this evening.
Mounie needs two more goals to equal Stephane Sessegnon as Benin’s all-time leading scorer.
Benin team in full
16:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBenin XI: Dandjinou; Ouorou, C. Hountondji, Verdon, Imourane, Mounie, Tosin, Kiki, Tijani, A. Hountondji, Dodo.
Substitutes: Fassinou, Tessilimi, Ahlinvi, Rachidou, Ahouangbo, Amoussou, Allagbe, Olaitan Ishola, Dossou, Kossi, Samadou, Obassa.
Benin's task
16:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneBenin’s task is straightforward; Win and they will qualify for the World Cup!
Nigeria vs Benin live
16:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNigeria’s task is a little more complicated in comparison to the other two teams in the group when it comes to qualification.
While victory over Benin in Uyo is vital, they need to do so via a comfortable margin and hope that South Africa fail to beat Rwanda in Mbombela.
Click here for this evening’s permutations!
Nigeria vs Benin live
16:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe still await confirmation of the Benin starting XI, but their showdown against Nigeria is being billed as “not a derby, it's a final!”
𝐉-𝟏
— Bénin Football 🇧🇯🐆 (@FootballBenin) October 13, 2025
🇳🇬⚔️🇧🇯
Ce n'est pas un derby, c'est une finale !#WCQ2026 #AllezLesGuépards 🐆🇧🇯 pic.twitter.com/LkRv321Orn
Nigeria team
16:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSome big calls made by Eric Chelle for this game. Four changes from the side that started the win over Lesotho, perhaps the biggest decision is William Troost-Ekong dropping to the bench.
Akor Adams is rewarded for his goal last Friday with a start alongside Victor Osimhen.
Nigeria team in full
16:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNigeria XI: Nwabali; Fredrick, Ajayi, Bassey, Sanusi; Chukwueze, Iwobi, Ndidi, Simon; Adams, Osimhen.
Substitutes: Adebayo, Ekong, Arokodare, Onyeka, Onyemaechi, Abdullahi, Obasogie, Uche, Moffi, Olusegun.
CONFIRMED NIGERIA TEAM NEWS
16:04 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneLining up for the Super Eagles...
🔁 Four changes from our win over Lesotho
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) October 14, 2025
©️ Ndidi leads the team tonight
👕 Simon makes his 85th appearance
⚡️ Osimhen partners Akor Adams up front
Let’s get this over the line, boys 💪🏾#SoarSuperEagles | #FIFAWCQ pic.twitter.com/WOZRKqmFo8
Nigeria vs Benin live
16:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe Super Eagles have arrived ahead of today’s crucial World Cup qualifier.
The boys have arrived in style 🎧
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) October 14, 2025
Team news 🔜#SoarSuperEagles | #FIFAWCQ pic.twitter.com/J7Zd5BHMma
Nigeria vs Benin live
15:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThere are unconfirmed reports that Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong is NOT in the starting XI against Benin this evening...
Nigeria vs Benin live
15:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneA draw could be enough for Benin to top Group C, depending on how South Africa fare against Rwanda.
However, Gernot Rohr has no plans to instruct his side to sit back and play for a draw.
He said: “We want to control if possible, and we also want to play out counterattacks because we have quick players and we have strong players.
“This is an opportunity to play diagonal balls, long balls,” he continued.
“Also, balls for our quick strikers; our team progressed in this kind of football.”
Team news imminent
15:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneWe are expecting team news for this huge World Cup qualifier to be announced any minute now.
Stick with us...
Benin results so far
15:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneSouth Africa 2-1 Benin
Lesotho 0-0 Benin
Benin 1-0 Rwanda
Benin 2-1 Nigeria
Zimbabwe 2-2 Benin
Benin 0-2 South Africa
Benin 1-0 Zimbabwe
Benin 4-0 Lesotho
Rwanda 0-1 Benin
Nigeria results so far
15:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNigeria endured a quite awful start to qualification as they failed to win any of their opening four games.
They have managed to steady the ship since to still be in with a chance of booking their ticket to the finals, but they'll need to record back-to-back wins for the first time in the group.
Nigeria 1-1 Lesotho
Zimbabwe 1-1 Nigeria
Nigeria 1-1 South Africa
Benin 2-1 Nigeria
Rwanda 0-2 Nigeria
Nigeria 1-1 Zimbabwe
Nigeria 1-0 Rwanda
South Africa 1-1 Nigeria
Lesotho 1-2 Nigeria
Around the grounds
15:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneJust the one other game in Group C today, kicking off at the same time as this is one and it's equally important as South Africa host Rwanda.
Nigeria vs Benin live
15:25 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe last time Nigeria qualified for a World Cup was back in 2018. Their coach at the time?
...A certain Gernot Rohr.
As fate would have it, the German is now attempting to stop the Super Eagles from taking part at the major tournament next summer.
How it stands
15:20 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHere’s a reminder of how Group C stands ahead of kick-off.
Predicted Nigeria XI
15:15 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEric Chelle will be forced into making at least one change to the Nigeria side that started the win over Lesotho last Friday as Ademola Lookman is suspended.
His place in the team could go to Fulham new boy Samuel Chukwueze. Elsewhere, Alex Iwobi, Victor Osimhen, Calvin Bassey and William Troost-Ekong are all expected to start.
Predicted Nigeria XI: Nwabali; Fredrick, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Iwobi, Ndidi; Arokodare, Simon, Chukwueze; Osimhen.
Nigeria vs Benin live
15:10 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneEric Chelle has called on the Nigeria supporters create an intense atmosphere for Benin this evening.
Speaking to reporters, Chelle said: “I’m proud of my players and I congratulate them. Since March, we’ve been under immense pressure because for Nigeria, qualifying for the World Cup is not optional.
"My players feel that every time they come to camp. But now, maybe it’s time for other teams to feel the same pressure too.
“We need our fans to be behind us and make it tough for Benin. This is the World Cup qualifier, the game starts the moment they step into our country. We must do the job on the pitch.”
Today's settings
15:05 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe Godswill Akpabio International Stadium will host today's crucial World Cup qualifier.
🏋🏿 Les Guépards sont actuellement au Godswill Akpabio Stadium d'Uyo pour leur séance de reconnaissance habituelle du terrain.#WCQ2026 #AllezLesGuépards 🐆🇧🇯 pic.twitter.com/0qCFqrrast
— Bénin Football 🇧🇯🐆 (@FootballBenin) October 13, 2025
Nigeria vs Benin latest match odds
15:00 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNigeria to win: 3/10
Benin to win: 11/2
Draw: 13/5
Odds via Betfair and subject to change.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
14:55 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneNigeria wins: 14
Benin wins: 2
Draws: 3
This is a fixture Nigeria have dominated through the years, but the 2-1 loss in the reverse meeting in qualification could prove significant later this evening.
Standard Sport prediction
14:50 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneAnything less than three points for Nigeria this afternoon and their hopes of qualifying for next summer's World Cup will be all but over unless Rwanda avoid defeat against South Africa.
Benin, on the other hand, are in a great position to qualify and will perhaps look to soak up pressure and hit the Super Eagles on the counter attack.
Still, we expect this talented Nigeria squad to have too much quality and get the win that will seal a top-two finish at the very least.
Nigeria to win, 2-0.
Benin team news: Duo ruled out
14:45 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneThe visitors also have suspension issues as Yohan Roche and Sessi D'Almeida are both unavailable for selection having accumulated too many yellow cards.
Other than that, it is a fully fit squad at Gernot Rohr's disposal - more on the Benin head coach a little later.
Nigeria team news: No Lookman
14:40 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneIn a big blow for Nigeria, Ademola Lookman will play no part this evening as he sits out the game through suspension.
The Atalanta forward picked up his second booking of qualifying in the win over Lesotho last Friday which means he must serve a punishment today.
Bright Osayi-Samuel and Cyriel Dessers were initially named in the squad, but had to pull out through injury thus joining Ola Aina on the sidelines.
How to watch
14:35 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneTV channel: In the UK, the game will not be televised.
Live stream: Fans can catch the contest live online via bet365 Football Live Streaming platform and via FIFA+
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action right here with us!
Nigeria vs Benin live
14:30 , Tashan Deniran-AlleyneHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Nigeria vs Benin!
Can the Super Eagles complete a remarkable comeback and seal a top two finish in Confederation of African Football (CAF) qualification for the 2026 World Cup? It's a must-win game for Nigeria has they host Group C leaders Benin who themselves are eyeing a debut appearance at the finals.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here ahead of kick-off, which comes at 5pm BST from the the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. Stick with us!
