South Africa’s long wait for another World Cup appearance is finally over. Knowing they needed both a win and help from elsewhere, Bafana Bafana did their part in emphatic style in Mbombela, beating Rwanda 3-0.
A win over Rwanda needed to be accompanied by a win for Nigeria over Benin, which is exactly what happened as Victor Osimhen’s masterclass sent Benin tumbling to a 4-0 defeat.
Three of Africa’s traditional heavyweights – South Africa, Ivory Coast and Senegal – confirmed their places at the World Cup. The trio secured automatic qualification on a night filled with goals, tension, and jubilation across the continent.
Meanwhile, Congo DR, Nigeria, and Gabon joined Cameroon in booking their tickets for next month’s African Play-Off Tournament, where four teams will fight for one last continental berth at the global finals.
Elsewhere, Uganda stunned already-qualified Algeria to claim the Group G runners-up spot, while The Gambia closed out their campaign with a goal-fest in the Seychelles.
Thalente Mbatha ignited early celebrations with a powerful strike that squeezed through goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari’s gloves, before Oswin Appollis doubled the advantage midway through the first half with a crisp finish from Evidence Makgopa’s assist.
The pair combined again after the interval as Appollis’s corner found Makgopa, who headed home to seal a commanding victory and spark jubilant scenes across the country.
