Former South Africa striker Benni McCarthy has commended the Super Eagles for their commanding 4–0 win over Benin Republic in the final round of the 2026 World Cup qualifying group stage.
McCarthy said he was impressed by Nigeria’s strong performance, which denied Benin—who had led Group C before the final fixtures—a place in the next phase. The result ensured Nigeria advanced to the playoffs, while South Africa secured automatic qualification.
Nigeria needed a minimum of four goals to reach the playoffs, a target achieved through Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick and a late goal from Frank Onyeka.
Speaking to SportyTV, McCarthy said, “I was at home in the UK and I was watching, keeping a really, really close eye…I was rooting for them and hoping that they would win and that Nigeria beat Benin.
“Because even if South Africa had won, if Benin beat Nigeria, South Africa is still out.
“I was pleased Nigeria taught Benin a lesson because it opened the door for us to walk through and qualify for the World Cup.”
McCarthy, South Africa’s all-time leading scorer with 31 goals, was part of the squad that lost 1–0 to Nigeria in a 2010 World Cup qualifier.
