South Africa have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after claiming top spot in Group C of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) section of World Cup qualification on Tuesday.
Bafana Bafana, who began the day in third place after being punished for fielding an ineligible player in the suspended Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho, punched their ticket for next summer’s showpiece with a 3-0 win over Rwanda.
Goals from Evidence Makgopa, Oswin Appollis and Thalente Mbatha ensured Hugo Broos’ side did their job in the hope of making a first World Cup finals appearance since 2010 – when they hosted the tournament.
That result coupled with Benin losing 4-0 to Nigeria means South Africa automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup as group winners.
As for the Super Eagles, they confirmed a place as one of the four best runners-up after producing arguably their best performance in qualification.
Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen was the hero as he netted a superb hat-trick as Nigeria beat Benin by the required number of goals to leapfrog their neighbours in the table.
Benin missed out on qualification altogether despite beginning the day top of the table as Gernot Rohr’s return to Uyo ended in disappointment.
