Teboho Mokoena, a midfielder for South Africa, declared Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen his “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) after the attacker’s incredible hat-trick in Tuesday’s Super Eagles’ 4-0 victory over Benin Republic.
The following day, Mokoena, a player for Mamelodi Sundowns, expressed his admiration on social media with the simple caption, “My Goat.”
According to reports, the Nigerian forward, who is currently with Galatasaray, led his country into the 2026 FIFA World Cup play-offs with an outstanding performance at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Osimhen made an immediate impression by scoring three minutes into the match following a superb combination with Samuel Chukwueze.
With a deft header from another Chukwueze cross in the 37th minute, he increased Nigeria’s lead. Six minutes after the half, he scored his hat-trick by jumping on a free kick from Moses Simon. To complete a commanding victory, Frank Onyeka added the fourth goal in stoppage time.
Nigeria gained 15 points and had a +7 goal differential with the victory, placing them among the top second-place teams in the African qualifiers.
Mokoena’s commendation followed South Africa’s 3-0 victory over Rwanda in Mbombela, which also guaranteed their spot at the World Cup. With 18 points—one more than Nigeria and the Benin Republic—they took first place in Group C thanks to goals from Talente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis, and Evides Makgopa.
The accomplishment completed a stunning comeback for Mokoena, who had previously been the subject of controversy when FIFA ruled that he was ineligible to play in South Africa’s match against Lesotho on March 21 and docked them three points.
The 27-year-old midfielder was crucial to Bafana Bafana’s comeback and qualification despite that setback.
It should be noted that South Africa would not have received automatic qualifying to the World Cup if the Benin Republic had defeated the Super Eagles in Uyo on Tuesday.
