The Super Eagles needed goals to keep their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup alive, and Victor Osimhen took it personally, scoring a hat-trick to help Nigeria beat the Benin Republic 4-0.

Pulse Sports kept a keen eye on the game and assessed each player in the victory against the Benin Republic.

This was another game in which Stanley Nwabali failed to inspire confidence. He was clumsy in his area and inexplicably tried to waste time when Nigeria needed goals. 

However, he had some important high claims, and his excellent position helped him save a good Steve Mounie shot with ease.

With Eric Chelle playing a 4-4-2 today, Fredrick’s offensive capabilities were not necessarily needed. Defensively, he was decent and could have certainly done better on more than one occasion, specifically when a lobbed pass caught him out and freed his man through on goal. 

Semi Ajayi was tasked with replacing captain William Troost Ekong today, and he showed no sign of rustiness. The Hull City man was dominant on both ends of the pitch, killing Benin attacks by winning most of his aerial duels against their strikers and attacking corners like a top number 9. 

Calvin Bassey is Nigeria's most consistent defender, and he continued in that vein today, maintaining an acceptable level to ensure the Super Eagles kept a needed clean sheet. 

Zaidu Sanusi was Nigeria's starting left back before his long-term injury. He had not played for the Super Eagles since February 2024. 

On his return to the starting line-up against the Benin Republic, he showed why the spot was his to lose. He was brilliant defensively and aided progression with his energetic ball carries. 

Eric Chelle's two-midfielder system requires Wilfred Ndidi to be a lot of what he is not, specifically, security on the ball and possessing incisive passing. 

The Besiktas man fell short of that today, but he showed energy, and his ball-winning contributed to Nigeria’s success. 

Bassey has been Nigeria’s most consistent defender, and there is a strong argument that his Fulham teammate, Alex Iwobi, is Nigeria's most consistent player, considering Osimhen's frequent injury problems.

Iwobi was everywhere in midfield today and barely put a foot wrong. However, he could have been braver with his passing into space. 

Moses Simon had a disappointing game. He struggled to beat his man and was clumsy with his passing. His ratings for this game are spared by his tremendous contribution to the result, his late assist for Frank Onyeka, which guaranteed the Super Eagles got the four required goals to make the playoffs.

 Eric Chelle has shown that he fancies Chukwueze in central areas. In this game, the Fulham man played a hybrid role; he was simultaneously the #10 and the right winger, and he interpreted the role to perfection. He was the playmaker in chief on the day and assisted Osimhen's first two goals before an injury forced Eric Chelle to replace him at halftime. 

Akor Adams did not put a foot wrong, but it is tough to look excellent playing beside a world-class striker who decided to score a hat-trick. The Sevilla man pressed well and showed care for the ball, but he did not contribute to any of the scoring on the day.

Nigeria have not lost any of the World Cup qualifier matches Victor Osimhen has been available to play (4W, 1D). Many believe the Super Eagles would be home and hosed instead of going the playoff route had Osimhen been fit for all games, and his performance against Benin today lends credence to that. 

The Cim-Bom striker was almost flawless. His touches were pristine, his passes were accurate, and his movement was immaculate. Most importantly, however, was the hat-trick he scored, delivering the goals which Nigeria needed to surmount the goal difference hurdle and make the playoffs. 

Olusegun replaced Chukwueze in the game and did not have nearly enough impact. He was energetic, but that was about it. He was untidy on the ball, and his crosses left a lot to be desired. 

Frank “The Tank” Onyeka. Osimhen might have gotten the hat-trick, but Onyeka’s goal guaranteed qualification to the playoffs. 

Bruno replaced Zaidu, and the quality on the left did not dip. He nearly got an assist also, delivering a beautiful ball near post, which Osimhen headed into Benin’s goalkeeper. 

Arokodare looked off it. He did not provide a presence up front during his time on the pitch, and his pressing looked lethargic.