Victor Osimhen scored a brilliant hat-trick before Nigeria stole a World Cup qualification playoff spot with a 4-0 win over Benin.
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 matchball.
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 with aplomb.
Details shortly…
