Mokoena hails Osimhen as his ‘GOAT’ after hat-trick heroics

South Africa midfielder Teboho Mokoena has hailed Victor Osimhen as his “Greatest of All Time” after the Nigerian striker’s dazzling hat-trick in the Super Eagles’ 4-0 demolition of Benin Republic on Tuesday, Sport360NG reports.

Mokoena expressed his admiration for the Galatasaray forward in a brief social media post on Wednesday, writing simply: “My Goat.”

His tribute followed Osimhen’s match-winning display at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, where the 25-year-old led Nigeria to victory and booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup play-offs.

Mokoena’s South African teammate Khuliso Johnson Mudau also joined in the praise, commenting “What a player” after the Super Eagles star’s outstanding performance.

Osimhen struck just three minutes into the game, finishing calmly from Samuel Chukwueze’s assist, before doubling Nigeria’s advantage in the 37th minute with a towering header from another Chukwueze cross. He completed his hat-trick six minutes after the restart, converting Moses Simon’s free-kick with clinical precision.

Frank Onyeka rounded off the scoring deep into stoppage time, sealing a dominant win that secured Nigeria’s progression as one of the top four second-placed teams in the African qualifiers, with 15 points and a +7 goal difference.

Mokoena’s praise came on the same night South Africa celebrated their own qualification, defeating Rwanda 3-0 in Mbombela to top Group C with 18 points, one clear of Nigeria and Benin Republic, who both finished on 17.

Talente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis, and Evides Makgopa were on target for Bafana Bafana, whose campaign included controversy earlier in the qualifiers. FIFA had deducted three points and three goals from South Africa after ruling that Mokoena was ineligible for the match against Lesotho on March 21, where he was sent off.

Despite the setback, the team recovered impressively, with Mokoena playing a crucial role in their eventual group triumph.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) lauded Osimhen’s display, describing him as Nigeria’s “main man” after his three-goal masterclass.

The treble took Osimhen’s international goal tally to 29, moving him within eight of Nigeria’s all-time top scorer Rashidi Yekini.