By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
Victor Osimhen’s brilliant hat-trick was not enough as the Super Eagles failed to secure Group C’s automatic qualification spot.
The Eagles lost out to South Africa despite a commanding 4–0 victory over Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
Nigeria finished second in the group and will now await results from other centres to determine their fate in the playoff stage.
The Eagles went into the game knowing that a win alone would not suffice unless South Africa dropped points against Rwanda in Mbombela.
Osimhen opened the scoring as early as the 3rd minute, coolly slotting home after a perfectly timed through ball from Samuel Chukwueze.
Meanwhile, below are the seven automatic African qualifiers for the world cup.
ALGERIA
MOROCCO
GHANA
CAPE VERDE
EGYPT
SOUTH AFRICA
TUNISIA
Teams that qualified for African playoffs are:
NIGERIA 🇳🇬
CAMEROON
GABON
BURKINA FASO
