Victor Osimhen Nears Record Scoring Feat As Nigeria Beats Benin To Avoid Elimination From FIFA World Cup

Victor Osimhen is on the path to becoming an all-time top scorer for Nigeria, as the Super Eagles secured a lifeline to making a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification after defeating the Republic of Benin 4-0, with the Galatasaray striker scoring a hat-trick. 

Ahead of the match, Nigeria was on the brink of losing a ticket to the competition next year. Having won the game, they are halfway through the tunnel after avoiding elimination and will be participating in the playoffs. They have now moved to second behind South Africa. 

However, Osimhen scored two goals in the first half and scored the third after the interval before Frank Onyeka sealed it with the fourth in injury time. With the three goals in the bag, Osimhen now has a total of 29 goals for Nigeria, which made him the second all-time highest goalscorer after late Super Eagles legend, Rashidi Yekini, with 37 goals. 

Osimhen, a former Napoli striker, is one of the most sought-after strikers in Africa. He was instrumental in Napoli winning the Serie A for the first time in 33 years in the 2022/23 season.  He scored 26 goals for Galatasaray, leading the club to win the Super Lig in his debut last season.