Football journalist and Super Eagles insider Colin Udoh has revealed that Nigerian players were initially unaware they needed to score four goals against Benin Republic to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs.

Nigeria’s 4–0 victory over Benin at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday was enough to send them through — but the team’s qualification hopes were hanging by a thread until Frank Onyeka’s late strike sealed the crucial fourth goal.

Speaking on ESPN FC, Udoh said that several players, including goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, appeared to think the job was done at 3–0, unaware of the tight goal-difference race with Burkina Faso.

“The goal was very important. For some minutes, it seemed like the players didn’t know they needed a fourth goal,” Udoh explained. “I saw the goalkeeper wasting time a little bit. I texted someone on the bench to tell the guys that we needed a fourth goal.”

According to Udoh, the turning point came at half-time, when Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau entered the dressing room to alert the team.

“The NFF President told Osimhen and the others at half-time that they needed to score four goals to make it through,” he revealed.

Nigeria’s late push proved decisive as the Super Eagles edged Burkina Faso for the playoff slot — both teams finished with 15 points, but Nigeria’s +7 goal difference narrowly beat Burkina Faso’s +6.

CAF’s revised qualification format, introduced after Eritrea’s withdrawal, made goal difference crucial in deciding the second-best teams.

The Super Eagles will now face Gabon in the World Cup playoff match scheduled for November 2025 in Morocco.