Akin Ayomide
South Africa midfielder Teboho Mokoena has hailed Victor Osimhen as his ‘Greatest of All Time’ following the Nigerian striker’s stunning hat-trick performance against the Benin Republic on Tuesday.
Mokoena took to social media on Wednesday to express his admiration for the Galatasaray forward, posting a simple but emphatic message, “My Goat.”
The praise came after Osimhen inspired Nigeria to a commanding 4-0 victory over the Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, securing the Super Eagles’ place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup play-offs.
Mokoena’s South Africa teammate, Khuliso Johnson Mudau, also joined the chorus of praise, writing “What a player” on social media.
Osimhen opened the scoring in just the third minute with a well-placed finish from Samuel Chukwueze’s assist before doubling Nigeria’s lead in the 37th minute with a powerful header from another Chukwueze delivery.
He completed his hat-trick in the 51st minute, converting Moses Simon’s free-kick with ruthless precision. Frank Onyeka added a fourth goal in stoppage time to seal a comprehensive victory.
The result confirmed Nigeria as one of the best four second-placed teams in the African qualifiers with 15 points and a +7 goal difference.
Mokoena’s praise carried added significance as South Africa secured their own World Cup qualification on the same night with a 3-0 victory over Rwanda in Mbombela.
Talente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis, and Evides Makgopa scored as Bafana Bafana topped Group C with 18 points, just one point ahead of Nigeria and the Benin Republic, who both finished on 17 points.
South Africa’s qualification came after significant controversy surrounding Mokoena earlier in the campaign. The midfielder’s sending-off against Lesotho on March 21 sparked an investigation by FIFA, which stripped South Africa of three points and three goals after finding that Mokoena was ineligible to play in that match.
Despite the setback, South Africa recovered to claim top spot in the group, with Mokoena playing a key role in their campaign.
The Confederation of African Football also praised Osimhen’s performance, calling him Nigeria’s “main man” after his three-goal masterclass.
Osimhen’s hat-trick took his tally to 29 international goals, leaving him eight behind Nigeria’s all-time leading scorer, Rashidi Yekini.