South Africa qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup while Nigeria qualified for the CAF playoffs despite defeating Benin.
Published October 14, 2025
South Africa defeated Rwanda 3-0 to advance through the qualifying group and become the last African country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Despite Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick against Benin, Nigeria were forced to settle for second place and a place in the play-offs.
South Africa had three points withheld by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for using an ineligible player in a match early in the qualifying stage, but they recovered from a 4-0 loss to Nigeria in Benin to take first place and ultimately take third place after the group stage was decided on Tuesday.
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The Super Eagles went into the game with a three-goal lead over Benin and needed to overturn a two-goal deficit on goal difference, but Osimhen maintained a two-goal lead during the break at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria.
The Galatasaray striker was one of the most sought-after talents from European clubs last summer, scoring his hat-trick six minutes into the second half. But the nerves for the Nigerians did not subside until Frank Onyeka’s stoppage-time goal.
Nigeria will now have to compete in the CAF playoffs against the other top three second-place teams from the nine first-round qualifying groups.
The top two will play in a semi-final and final format, with the winners competing for a spot in the 10th Africa World Cup in a FIFA inter-confederation play-off. The second round of CAF qualifiers to reach that stage will be held from November 10th to 18th.
South Africa’s victory means it will be the team’s first World Cup appearance since automatically qualifying as hosts in 2010.
Talente Mbatha and Oswin Apolis scored twice for Bafana Bafana in the first 12 minutes of the eliminated Rwanda match in Mbombela, with Evidence Makgopa adding a third in the second half.
The 2026 World Cup finals will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
