By Mark Ogagan
Nigeria boosted their chances of going through to next year’s World Cup finals with a stunning 4-0 defeat of Benin in a thrilling Group C match at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Tuesday.
Victor Osimhen put up a Man of the Match performance with a brilliant hat-trick and substitute Frank Onyeka wrapped up a comprehensive victory to steer the Super Eagles through to next month’s playoffs.
The visitors began the day in pole position but made the worst possible start, falling behind inside the first three minutes. A loose pass in midfield allowed Samuel Chukwueze to snatch possession and thread a superb through ball to Osimhen, and the striker obliged with a decisive finish.
Chukwueze remained a constant thorn in the visitors’ side, and he was again the architect when the lead was doubled as half-time approached. His perfect cross was met with Osimhen’s towering back-post header.
Benin simply had no answer to the Galatasaray striker’s pace and power, and he sealed their fate just a few minutes into the second half by heading home brilliantly from Moses Simon’s floated free-kick.
Substitute Frank Onyeka volleyed in an excellent fourth, allowing South Africa to seize top spot and a guaranteed World Cup berth after a comprehensive 3-0 win over Rwanda, with Benin dropping from first place to third.
www.amatropics.com
Discussion about this post