Nigeria have pulled off a miracle. Just when things seemed bleak going into the last game of the World Cup qualifiers, Nigeria made a statement.

Nigeria came into the last game of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with one mission: get the win and score as many goals as possible. Their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup wasn’t in their hands as the only way they could get an automatic ticket was if Rwanda beat South Africa.

If that scenario did or didn’t play out, they would have to still beat Benin who came into the final game as group leaders and score between 3-5 goals to either qualify top of the group or secure a place in the playoffs.

The game in Uyo was nothing but thrilling. The Super Eagles of Nigeria totally outclassed Benin Republic, scoring 4 goals and snatching the playoff spot as Rwanda fell helplessly to South Africa in a 3-0 defeat.

Nigerians all over the globe will be grateful to one man, Victor James Osimhen. When he mattered the most, he showed what it means to be rated as one of the best strikers in the World. A hat-trick in moments like this is what makes you a national hero and if his previous exploits haven’t made him a national hero, it surely does now.

What This Win Means For Nigeria?

But while celebrations are going on in Nigeria as the giants of Africa secured a place in the playoffs with a 4-0 win, we ask the question, what does this win really mean?

In simple terms, this win gives Nigeria a backdoor into the World Cup after a debilitating run in the qualifiers. The Super Eagles of Nigeria lost just once but drew five of their qualifying games which put them in the position that they had to rescue themselves from tonight.

The draw against Zimbabwe seems like the worst result of all but all that has been washed away by the brilliance the Eagles showed today.

However, they are now faced with an uphill task of winning the African playoffs where they could face either Gabon, Cameroon and Burkina Faso (pending confirmation).

Having finished among the four best second-placed teams in Africa, Nigeria and the remaining three teams will go to a playoff in Morocco in November. The winner of this playoff will head to an international final playoff in March in Mexico.

Two teams from North America and one team apiece from Asia, Africa, South America, and Oceania will meet in March to decide the final two qualifiers for World Cup 26.

In the playoffs, the four lowest-ranked nations will meet in the bracket semi-finals. The two highest-ranked teams will go directly into the finals. The winners of the two bracket finals will reach the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Can Nigeria Make It To The World Cup?

That is the billion-dollar question. Although they have completed the first step, the journey is just getting started. Every team in the playoffs wants it as bad as Osimhen and Nigeria.

The Super Eagles are going to be at their absolute best and avoid any slipups. Osimhen will once again have to stand as the deliverer of his people. It would be absolutely criminal if he misses the World Cup given the caliber of player he is and the eyes that would be expecting to see him.

The other players also have to be unplayable. Anything goes left and the Super Eagles could be out of back-to-back World Cups which is a poor image for the “Giants of Africa”.

For now, Nigerians will have to keep the faith, pray like their lives depend on it and hope they take full advantage of this backdoor and find their way to America for the 2026 World Cup.