Victor Osimhen

The Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle, has hailed his players for their outstanding performance in the 4-0 victory against the Cheetahs of Benin in their final World Cup qualifying match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

The match, played on Tuesday, was intense from the start, but an early strike by Victor Osimhen in the 3rd minute set the tone for Nigeria’s dominance.

Speaking during the post-match press conference, Coach Chelle commended the players for their dedication and fighting spirit, describing them as “champions” who gave everything for the team.

“I am surprised by my players. They deserved this game because it was not easy. So, now we are going to Morocco. It is not yet finished. It will be very difficult, but tonight, I am very happy for the players,” Chelle said.

He also showered praise on Osimhen, who scored a stunning hat-trick, calling him “the best striker in the world.”

“The players played a very good game, especially the best striker in the world, Victor Osimhen,” Chelle added.

The fourth goal came in the dying minutes of the game courtesy of Frank Onyeka, sealing Nigeria’s qualification for the playoff stage.

Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong expressed pride in the team’s performance, saying every player gave their all to secure victory.

“Everyone played their hearts out to ensure this win. We thank Nigerians for their massive support throughout the qualifiers. We still have work to do in the play-off,” Troost-Ekong said.

On the other hand, Benin’s coach, Gernot Rohr, expressed disappointment over the loss but commended his young players for their efforts.

“There was a big disappointment because we wanted to go to the World Cup for the first time in history, but we could not. Some of our players don’t even have clubs, but I am proud of them,” Rohr said.

The victory marks an emphatic end to Nigeria’s qualifying campaign and a renewed sense of optimism among fans ahead of the next stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.