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Nigeria’s Super Eagles produced a scintillating display to demolish Benin Republic 4-0 in their final Round 10 World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday, but the emphatic victory was not enough to secure automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Played at a packed stadium in Uyo, the Eagles dominated from start to finish, inspired by a hat-trick hero performance from Victor Osimhen, who fired Nigeria to a commanding win.

However, despite the convincing scoreline, results from other centres meant the team fell short of the top automatic qualification spot in their group, leaving them to battle through the play-offs.

Osimhen opened the scoring just three minutes into the encounter, latching onto a clever pass from Samuel Chukwueze before doubling Nigeria’s advantage in the 37th minute with another clinical finish, again assisted by Chukwueze.

The Napoli striker completed his hat-trick in the 51st minute, converting Moses Simon’s precise cross to make it 3-0, as Nigeria tightened their grip on the game. Substitute Frank Onyeka added the fourth in added time, calmly slotting home after another assist from Simon to seal an emphatic 4-0 triumph.

The victory lifted the Super Eagles to 17points, level with Benin but with superior goal difference.

Nigeria will now await confirmation of their route through the CAF play-offs, where they must overcome another tough two-legged tie to secure a place among Africa’s representatives at the global showpiece.

South Africa qualified from the group with 18 points and will now play in the 2026 World Cup

South Africa are just minutes away from sealing their long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup after a dominant 3-0 lead over Rwanda at the Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Thalente Mbatha set the tone early on, firing South Africa ahead with a composed finish that sent the home crowd into raptures. The momentum didn’t stop there, Iqraam Rayners Appollis doubled the advantage with a brilliant strike that left Rwanda’s goalkeeper, Fiacre Ntwari, rooted to the spot.

The second half saw South Africa pile on more pressure, creating a string of chances that kept the visitors pegged back. Makgopa and Nkota went close, while Mudau’s curling effort narrowly missed the post. Appollis continued to torment the Rwandan defense down the left flank, drawing fouls and setting up wave after wave of attacks.

Their dominance finally paid off in the 72nd minute when Evidence Makgopa rose highest to meet Appollis’ perfectly placed corner, heading home from close range to make it 3-0 and all but seal South Africa’s ticket to the 2026 World Cup.

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has mocked opposition parties following the defection of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a post shared on his official X account on Tuesday, Keyamo taunted the PDP, Labour Party, and African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying he decided to help them ‘draft’ their usual responses before they ‘recover from the shock’ of losing another major figure to the ruling party.

‘Before they recover from the shock of their total exit from the South-East and manage to piece together some press statements, let me help the opposition, particularly the fractured PDP, the accidented ADC and the epileptic Labour Party to draft something from which they can take some extracts,’ Keyamo wrote.

He went on to mock the expected reactions of the opposition, writing:

‘We are not surprised by this cowardly act of the Governor who has been arm-twisted by the APC or President Tinubu, bla bla bla…

This latest defection of the Governor will not affect the fortunes of the opposition bla bla bla …

The 2027 election will be between the APC and the Nigerian people bla bla bla.’

Keyamo dismissed such statements as ‘old and outdated,’ claiming Nigerians are now wiser and can see through the opposition’s rhetoric.

‘The formats are old and outdated. The true voters and Nigerians are now wiser,’ he added.

The minister concluded by hinting that more defections to the APC were imminent, saying:

‘I will be back with more drafts for the opposition after the next defection to the APC in a matter of days or weeks.’

Amid mounting climate disasters and growing water insecurity across Africa, civil society groups have launched a coordinated campaign to resist the privatisation of water resources.

Operating under the umbrella of the Our Water Our Right Africa Coalition (OWORAC), the coalition on Monday began the Africa Week of Action Against Water Privatisation with a press briefing at the Lagos headquarters of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA).

With a campaign themed ‘Public Water for Climate Resilience,’ OWORAC warned that the continent’s worsening water insecurity cannot be solved by handing over water systems to private corporations.

In a statement read on its behalf by CAPPA’s Programme Officer for Water Campaign, Sefa Ikpa, OWORAC painted a stark picture of how climate change is reshaping the African continent, with water – or the lack thereof – emerging as the most immediate and devastating impact.

‘Across the continent, intense and prolonged droughts, devastating floods, coastal erosion, and increasing unpredictability in rainfall are disrupting lives and livelihoods,’ OWORAC stated.

The coalition argued that these challenges demand urgent public investment in resilient water infrastructure, and not further privatisation.

It said, ‘Ordinarily, these challenges should serve as a wake-up call for governments to invest in stronger publicly governed water systems capable of protecting life under climate stress. Yet, in many African states, the opposite is taking place.’

OWORAC criticised the growing promotion of desalination plants as a ‘climate-resilient’ solution. While acknowledging the urgency of water scarcity, it warned that desalination, often led by private companies under long-term contracts, is environmentally damaging, expensive, and exclusionary.

‘Desalination is no panacea,’ OWORAC said. ‘It is extremely energy-intensive, largely dependent on fossil fuels, and produces a concentrated salty waste called brine that pollutes marine ecosystems, destroys fisheries, and further dispossesses coastal communities,’ it said.

Also speaking at the event, Neil Gupta, Water Campaign Director at Corporate Accountability, echoed OWORAC’s warnings and linked the water justice struggle to broader issues of corporate exploitation and neocolonial influence.

Gupta said, ‘Defending water is defending life itself Unfortunately, there is an entire industry that aims to exploit our need for water to profit.’

He then went on to accuse the governments of advanced countries and their institutions of enabling and even profiting from water privatisation across the Global South.

He said, ‘From the World Bank to the IMF, international financial institutions foist privatisation and austerity on governments at the expense of the people. We’re also witnessing an alarming rate of direct Global North government interference in water.’

As an example, Gupta pointed to recent developments in Lagos, where the US government is reportedly backing ‘a multimillion-dollar corporate water scheme that has been shrouded in secrecy.’

‘While some might try to convince us that certain schemes like public-private partnerships don’t count as privatisation, we can’t be fooled,’ he said.

On his own part, Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), Akinbode Oluwafemi, who delivered the welcome address at the event, lamented that at a time when urgent public investment is needed to shore up equitable and resilient water infrastructure, governments are instead bowing to pressure to privatise.

‘While nature cries for justice in the face of the climate emergency, capital smells opportunity.’Multinational corporations now peddle desalination and other privatisation schemes as climate solutions, selling back to us the very water that belongs to the people.’

Adding, he said, ‘Today we reject these false solutions. We assert that the way we protect and govern water will determine whether our communities can endure the crises ahead.’

The stakes could not be higher in Uyo today as the Super Eagles lock horns with the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in a decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier that will determine who earns Africa’s last ticket to North America next summer.

Group leaders Benin, on 17 points, have destiny in their own hands, a draw at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium will be enough to send them to their first-ever FIFA World Cup. But for Nigeria, there is no room for error. The Eagles sit third with 14 points, and only a convincing win coupled with a slip-up from South Africa against Rwanda in Nelspruit can secure them passage to the global showpiece.

Super Eagles head coach Eric Sekou Chelle has vowed that his side will ‘give everything’ to snatch victory and keep their World Cup hopes alive. ‘We know what’s at stake. This is about pride, history, and belief,’ Chelle said ahead of the clash.

Nigeria, who have not missed two consecutive World Cup finals since making their debut in 1994, enter today’s encounter with only one defeat in the qualifiers fewer than both Benin and South Africa.

Meanwhile, Gernot Rohr, the man who once led Nigeria’s dugout, now stands in their way. The Franco-German tactician, now in charge of Benin, insists his Cheetahs will not be intimidated by the Uyo crowd.

‘Yes, the atmosphere can be hostile, but we’ll stay calm and focused,’ Rohr told Goal. ‘We plan to keep possession, defend well, and use quick counterattacks. That’s our game plan for Uyo.’

Both sides face injury and suspension concerns. Nigeria will be without Ademola Lookman, Ola Aina, and Bright Osayi-Samuel, while Benin are missing Yohan Roche and Sessi d’Almeida.

Captain William Troost-Ekong and midfielder Alex Iwobi, both World Cup veterans, are expected to start, alongside top scorer and reigning Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen, who is yet to appear on football’s biggest stage.

The Cheetahs, who have never reached a World Cup, are riding a wave of national pride, while Nigeria – six-time finalists at the continental level – carry the expectations of over 220 million fans.

Kick-off is 5 p.m. at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

A two-goal win for Nigeria and a South African draw in Nelspruit could yet write a fairytale ending for the Eagles. Until then, all eyes – and hearts – are on Uyo.

What Nigerians Are Saying

Meanwhile, Nigerians have flooded social media with mixed emotions, prayers, and pointed criticism as the Super Eagles prepare to take on Benin Republic in their final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

On X, many fans expressed cautious optimism, urging unity behind the team despite a rocky qualifying campaign.

User @Letter_to_Jack wrote, ‘I want to believe that behind the veiled banters, we are all passionate Nigerians who want the Super Eagles to defeat Benin today and qualify for the World Cup.’

Another fan, @PoojaMedia, struck a similar tone of hope and humour, saying, ‘Deep inside us, we all want the Super Eagles to qualify. Banter and pray as well. Both works.’

But not everyone shares that sentiment. @AdetolaOkuwobi held nothing back, calling for a total overhaul of the team if failure comes: ‘You and who?? Not one bit. I prefer they lose and not qualify and the AFCON should even go wrong too if that’s what it will take for them to disband the whole team and the NFF. Let them start all over.’

In contrast, @FadaChristmas_ voiced a competitive Nigerian spirit mixed with a hint of rivalry, tweeting: ‘Dear Super Eagles, your only job today is to make sure South Africa doesn’t go to the World Cup, I don’t care how you do it. Make or break time!’

He added: ‘Super Eagles must win against Benin today to qualify. We get 14 points, dem get 17. No Lookman but Osimhen fit cause wahala! Historically, we don beat dem 13 times but dem shock us 2-1 for June. Which player go be hero today?’

Meanwhile, @chaxdawg_909 raised tactical concerns, recalling a previous encounter between both sides: ‘I remember the win by Benin against the Super Eagles in Côte d’Ivoire during the early stages of the qualifiers. Their skipper said they won because they got better part of Ekong. Chelle, please don’t start Ekong.’

A Victor Osimhen hat-trick and a sensational pile-driver by substitute Frank Onyeka that ensured a 4-0 win over Benin Republic in Uyo on Tuesday evening was enough to send Nigeria to the Four-Team CAF Playoff Tournament for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.

The three-time African champions knew before kickoff that they would qualify automatically from Group C if they defeated Benin Republic by any margin and South Africa failed to defeat Rwanda in Nelspruit.

However, Bafana Bafana raced to a 2-0 lead over the Amavubi at Mbombela, and not to be outdone, the Super Eagles also went into recess with two unreplied goals up on the Cheetahs at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

Victor Osimhen wasted no time registering his name on the scoresheet, as he latched onto a brilliant pass by Samuel Chukwueze to put Nigeria ahead in the second minute, sending goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou the wrong way.

Stanley Nwabali saved brilliantly from Steve Mounié as the Cheetahs broke forward in the 12th minute, but Nigeria kept probing and the relentless Osimhen saw his header go a little too high in the 21st minute.

Table-toppers Benin Republic broke forward again in the 28th minute but Nwabali punched Tosin Aiyegun’s effort from close range.

Osimhen, unstoppable, rose above everyone to nod home Nigeria’s second in the 36th minute, from a cross by Chukwueze.

Nigeria, dogged and determined coming into the second half, and knowing that their only route would be the playoff as South Africa continued to pummel Rwanda in Nelspruit, did not put their feet off the pedal.

Osimhen was on hand again to score the third goal, as the ball rocked the crossbar from Simon Moses’ free-kick from the right.

It was Osimhen’s 29th goal in 44 matches for Nigeria – a remarkable tally that means he will overtake ‘Goalsfather’ Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory) at the pinnacle of Nigeria’s goals’ haul with nine more strikes.

As Nigeria continued to pour forward, Simon Moses, earning his 85th cap, saw his snapshot pushed to corner by Dandjinou in the 53rd minute, and in the 75th minute, Osimhen’s wonderful chested-pass freed Alex Iwobi for a shot, which was charged down by David Kiki.

Two minutes later, Osimhen headed powerfully from a Moses’ cross but the ball was punched away.

With 90 minutes on the clock, substitute Frank Onyeka rifled home a cross by Moses to give Nigeria a 4-0 win and passage to the continental playoff, which will take place in Morocco, 13th – 16th November.

Gabon and Cameroon are the two countries ahead of Nigeria presently in the new table for second-placed teams across the nine groups, going CAF’s new method of calculating the second-placed teams following the withdrawal of Eritrea from the race. Nigeria bagged 15 points with a goals’ difference of plus seven, as against Burkina Faso’s 15 points and goals’ difference of plus six.

Only the group winners are automatically through to the finals in North America next summer.

Either Burkina Faso or the Democratic Republic of Congo (playing at home to Sudan on Tuesday night) will join the trio for the battles of Morocco next month.

The winner in Morocco will proceed to the Six-Team Intercontinental Playoff, scheduled for the Mexican cities of Guadalaja and Monterrey in March next year, where two teams will emerge and qualify for the finals in USA, Canada and Mexico.

The winner from the African playoff will be joined by Bolivia, New Caledonia and two teams from Central America, and one from Asia.

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has stated that his emergence as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland was a result of divine intervention rather than financial influence.

The monarch made this known on Tuesday while hosting the Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Peter Leenknegt, at the Olubadan Palace in Oke-Aremo, Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Oba Ladoja emphasized that his primary duty as the Olubadan is to protect all residents of the ancient city regardless of their ethnic, political, or religious backgrounds.

‘My ascension to the throne of Ibadanland is divine. It is not the Ifa oracle that chooses an Oba for Ibadan, nor is it money that determines the selection. It is long life granted by God,’ he said. ‘Our duty as traditional rulers today has evolved. We are now expected to provide leadership and support that fosters peace and development in our communities.’

The monarch also highlighted the importance of addressing youth unemployment and drug abuse, noting that peace cannot thrive without tackling poverty and social instability.

‘One of our key responsibilities is to ensure peace in Ibadanland. But peace cannot exist without ‘stomach infrastructure.’ When the youth are gainfully engaged and well catered for, the menace of drug addiction threatening the foundation of our city will be reduced,’ he added.

Oba Ladoja appreciated the Belgian government for its willingness to collaborate with Ibadanland in areas such as agriculture and investment.

‘Ibadan has vast agricultural lands and mineral resources, and we are open to partnerships that will transform the city and sustain our status as the Pacesetter,’ he said.

In response, Ambassador Leenknegt revealed that cocoa had overtaken crude oil as Nigeria’s main export to Belgium, adding that the development would boost farmers’ income and diversify economic relations between both countries.

‘Since 2024, cocoa has become Nigeria’s leading export to Belgium. This is a good sign for Nigerian farmers, as it means improved livelihoods and stronger commercial ties between our two nations,’ Leenknegt said.

In a related visit, Oba Ladoja received the Olofin of Isheri, Lagos, Oba Ibrahim Bello, where he called on traditional rulers to lead by example and restore discipline within the traditional institution.

Bello, in his remarks, commended the Olubadan for his leadership qualities and prayed for his continued good health and long life.

Dignitaries at the event included members of the Olubadan Advisory Council and other traditional title holders.

Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mbah announced his decision on Tuesday during a press conference in Enugu, saying the move was aimed at advancing the state’s interests through a stronger partnership with the ruling party at the centre.

He said his defection followed ‘a long period of reflection,’ adding that the APC’s vision under President Bola Tinubu aligns with his own goal of driving sustainable development in Enugu and across the South-East.

‘Today, after a long period of reflection, we have decided to leave the PDP and join the APC. We share a vision that transformation must be disruptive,’ Mbah stated.

‘I have found in His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a partner in purpose, a man with the courage to look beyond today and make the tough choices that secure lasting prosperity for tomorrow.’

The governor, who was accompanied by his predecessor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, federal and state lawmakers, and top political figures in Enugu, said the decision was a collective one made by his political family.

According to him, ‘This is no whimsical decision. It is a collective move by the political family in Enugu State, comprising members of the National Assembly, members of the State House of Assembly, the State Executive Council, all local government chairmen, councillors, political appointees, and over 80% of party executives.’

Mbah also expressed optimism that the defection would ensure that ‘the voice of Enugu people and indeed that of the South-East would now be heard in Abuja.’

While thanking the PDP for its past support, Mbah lamented that the South-East had often been sidelined in national politics despite its loyalty to the party.

‘To the Peoples Democratic Party which provided us the platform on which we campaigned and won, I extend deep gratitude,’ he said. ‘But despite our loyalty, our voices were too often disregarded.’

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly opposed the proposal by the National Assembly to hold the 2027 general election in November 2026.

The proposal is one of the amendments being considered for inclusion in the Electoral Act by the National Assembly..

But the ADC, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, on Tuesday in Abuja warned that the proposal may truncate governance, destabilise development plans and plunge Nigeria into endless electioneering cycles.

The party therefore cautioned the National Assembly against the proposed amendments.

Although ADC noted that the proposal was aimed at allowing time for resolving petitions before inauguration, it, however, warned that it could create deeper democratic challenges than it intended to fix.

‘Cutting six months from the political calendar means an accelerated campaign season, reducing time for real governance and disrupting development programmes across federal and state administrations alike.

‘Elections in November 2026 mean political campaigns begin by 2025, leaving barely two years of serious governance before office holders start focusing solely on elections.

‘This shift could cause ministers, governors and the president to prioritise re-election efforts over public service, stalling policies and abandoning critical developmental projects prematurely.

‘Without the amendment, current office holders have already prioritised power over performance and elections dominate governance cycles, highlighting the danger of accelerating Nigeria’s existing culture of continuous politicking,’ Abdullahi said.

According to him, even now, the state and federal structures are already in campaign mode, stressing that shortening tenures would worsen an already toxic political environment and harm democratic growth.

He emphasised that if the true goal was ensuring that petitions were settled before inauguration, the solution lied not in date change but in institutional and judicial electoral system reforms.

‘Strengthening tribunals, enforcing strict petition timelines and boosting INEC and judicial capacity are better answers than disrupting the political calendar or shortening elected officials’ mandates.

‘Other democracies like Kenya, Indonesia, Ghana and South Africa ensure timely petition resolutions through efficient courts without changing the timing of general elections or inaugurations.

‘Kenya’s constitution allows 14 days for resolving presidential election petitions, while Ghana and Indonesia also follow strict timelines to maintain both governance stability and electoral justice.

‘Such global examples prove institutional efficiency, not election rescheduling.

‘Changing dates without fixing deeper institutional problems only delays justice and encourages inefficiency, offering no real solution to Nigeria’s electoral challenges,’ he added.

According to him, Nigerians deserve leaders who focus on governance, not endless campaigning.

‘The system must prioritise development, not politics, by preserving electoral timelines and reforming weak institutions,’ he said.

The ADC spokesman, therefore, urged the national assembly to drop the amendment plan and instead, pursue comprehensive electoral reform to secure credible elections and fast-track election-related judicial processes.

Vote counting is ongoing in Cameroon after Sunday’s presidential election, where 92-year-old President Paul Biya is seeking to extend his 43 years in power.

Biya, already the world’s oldest head of state, is running for his eighth term against nine challengers.

If he wins, his new term would last until 2032.

No official results have been released yet, but one of Biya’s top rivals, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has claimed victory.

His announcement goes against a government warning that publishing unofficial results is considered ‘high treason.’ The Constitutional Council must announce the official outcome within 15 days of the election.

Tchiroma’s supporters protested in Garoua, his hometown, clashing with security forces who used tear gas.

Earlier, Tchiroma once a Biya ally said he was receiving threats but refused to leave his home, saying he was ‘under the protection of God and the Cameroonian people.’

While Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji said voting was peaceful across all 10 regions, there were reports of violence in the north and boycotts in English-speaking regions.

In some areas, separatists tried to stop people from voting, leaving many citizens too afraid to go to polling stations.

Opposition members complained before the vote that the government was working to suppress them.

In August, the Constitutional Council barred Maurice Kamto, a popular opposition leader, from running-raising further doubts about the fairness of the election.

Minister Nji also warned that any candidate trying to announce results ahead of the official declaration would face punishment.

As the nation waits for the final outcome, many are asking whether Paul Biya will once again hold onto power and keep his title as the world’s oldest president.