•FILE PHOTO: Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen and teammates celebrate after scoring a goal.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria cruised to a 4–0 victory over the Benin Republic on Tuesday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo but fell short of securing automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Despite the emphatic win, Nigeria finished as one of the best second-placed teams in the CAF qualifying series and will now advance to the African playoff round.

Striker Victor Osimhen was the standout performer of the night, scoring a sensational hat-trick to power Nigeria past their West African neighbours.

The Galatasaray forward opened the scoring just three minutes into the game, calmly finishing off a swift attacking move to give the Super Eagles a dream start.

The visitors showed flashes of resilience but struggled to contain Nigeria’s high pressing and attacking tempo.

Osimhen doubled the lead midway through the first half with a trademark header, rising highest to meet a cross from Samuel Chukwueze.

Shortly after the break, the 26-year-old completed his hat-trick with a composed finish from close range, effectively putting the result beyond doubt.

With Nigeria still chasing a superior goal difference to improve their ranking among the runners-up, coach Éric Chelle’s men maintained their attacking intensity until the final whistle.

Their persistence paid off in added time when substitute Frank Onyeka smashed home a superb volley from Moses Simon’s cross to seal the 4–0 victory.

The result capped an impressive performance but was not enough to lift the Super Eagles to the top of their group, meaning they will have to navigate the playoff stage to secure a place at the 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

(Daily Trust)

• Amaju Pinnick

The Deputy Chair of the FIFA Men’s National Teams Competitions Committee, Amaju Pinnick, has described his appointment as a recognition of Nigeria’s growing influence in global sports governance.

In an interview with ARISE News on Thursday, Pinnick, a former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, expressed humility and pride at the opportunity to serve in one of FIFA’s most strategic committees.

“The importance of this is a recognition of Nigeria, as well as global sports. First, I’m saying that I’m humbled by the opportunity for me.

The Committee for Competitions is the most important committee, because FIFA is all about competitions, organising competitions, which also includes the World Cup, the U-20 and the U-17, even up to the Club World Cup,” he said.

Explaining the committee’s mandate, Pinnick noted that it plays a central role in managing and supervising FIFA’s global tournaments and the participation of national teams.

It’s a committee that has a responsibility. It has to be seen with national teams, with national team players, to be allowed to play in any of those competitions,” he stated.

Pinnick also highlighted the calibre of individuals serving alongside him, noting that the committee reflects the international breadth of football administration.

“A lot of people in the committee, even Danny Jordaan from South Africa, is a member of the committee. Danny Jordaan was chairman of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. So, we are very, very happy,” he said.

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have advanced to the Round of 16 at the ongoing 24th FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Colombia in the early hours of Monday.

The result means Nigeria will now face Argentina at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos in Santiago on Wednesday a repeat of the quarter-final clash from the last U20 World Cup hosted by Argentina, where the Flying Eagles triumphed 2–0 in San Juan.

Elsewhere, Colombia will meet South Africa, while Norway takes on Paraguay in other Round of 16 fixtures.

At the Estadio Fiscal de Talca, the seven-time African champions delivered a spirited performance, with goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt making crucial saves in the 23rd and 26th minutes to keep the scores level during a tense opening period.

Despite Colombia’s early pressure, the Nigerians were the more enterprising side, with Tahir Maigana, Kparobo Arierhi, and Suleman Sani constantly troubling the South American defence and striking the upright on several occasions.Colombia broke the deadlock in the 51st minute through Kener Gonzalez, who converted from Neyser Villareal’s assist.

Undeterred, the Flying Eagles piled on relentless pressure, and defender Odinaka Okoro came close with a header in the 76th minute.

Nigeria’s persistence paid off in the 86th minute when captain Daniel Bameyi calmly slotted home from the penalty spot after a Colombian defender handled Maigana’s goal-bound effort.

The Nigerians nearly clinched a late winner, but Arierhi’s shot in the 89th minute was blocked inside the area.