South Africa's Bafana Bafana secured the ticket to the World Cup 2026 in the United States, Canada and Mexico after handing Rwanda a 3-0 heavy defeat before a fully packed Mbumbelanga Stadium on Tuesday, October 14.
The convincing victory was enough for Hugo Broos’ side to finish at the top of Group C with 18 points, just one point ahead of Nigeria and Benin with 17 points apiece.
The Super Eagles climbed up to second place after thrashing Benin 4-0 through a hat trick from star striker Victor Osimhen. The latter dropped to third place on goal difference.
Bafana Bafana adapted the better side at Mbombela Stadium and scored early two early goals from Orlando Pirates duo Thalente Mbatha and Oswin Appollis in the fifth and 26th minutes respectively as the home side headed into half time break with a 2-0 lead.
Evidence Makgopa netted third goal in the 72nd minute beating Fiacre Ntwari to the ball. The Kaizer Chiefs shot stopper was unable to claw it out as highflying South Africa sent the home supporters into a frenzy, knowing that a win for Nigeria was enough for them to secure the qualification.
While Nigeria missed out on World Cup qualification for the second time in a row, South Africa will be competing at the tournament for the first time since hosting the 2010 edition although they couldn’t past the group stage.
Before that, they appeared in France 1998 and Korea-Japan 2002, achieving their best-ever finish in 17th place.
South Africa’s qualification hopes were into a serious danger when world football governing body, FIFA, deducted three points from them, on top of a $10,000 fine, over fielding an already suspended player during their 1-0 win over Lesotho in March.
While the charges saw them drop to second with 14 points as Benin climbed on top of Group C on goal difference. Things went from bad to worse when they were held to a goalless draw with Zimbabwe and, with 1-0 win in Kigali, Benin opened a two-point gap at the top prior to their final away match against Nigeria in Uyo.
South Africa’s world cup hopes not only lied on beating Rwanda, but also on Nigeria beating Benin. And that was exactly what happened on the final match day.
With 18 points out of a possible 30, the Bafana Bafana proved their consistency and discipline in a qualifying zone where every result mattered.
Rwanda were, on the other side, already out of race for World Cup ticket after their home defeat to Benin on Friday.