MBOMBELA – South Africa has booked its return to the FIFA World Cup™ for the first time since 2010, ending a 13-year wait with a commanding 3–0 victory over Rwanda on the final day of African qualifying.
Bafana Bafana needed both a win and favourable results elsewhere, and they delivered in emphatic style in Mbombela. Thalente Mbatha opened the scoring with a powerful strike 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, sparking jubilant celebrations across the country.
“This is a historic moment for South African football,” said Bafana Bafana captain. “The players, staff, and supporters have waited a long time for this. We’re thrilled to be going back to the World Cup.”
Victor Osimhen stars as Nigeria reshuffles Group C
South Africa’s triumph was aided by results elsewhere. In Uyo, Victor Osimhen delivered a masterclass as Nigeria dismantled Group C leaders Benin 4–0. Osimhen opened the scoring within three minutes after a pass from Samuel Chukwueze, added a towering header before half-time, and completed his hat-trick early in the second half. Substitute Frank Onyeka wrapped up the rout in stoppage time, sending Benin tumbling from first to third and allowing South Africa to top the group and secure automatic qualification.
Nigeria, meanwhile, must wait to learn if they will earn a spot in the African Play-Off Tournament as one of the best runners-up.
Other African qualifiers and Play-Off contenders
Congo DR, Gabon, and Nigeria joined Cameroon in securing spots in the African Play-Off Tournament, where four teams will compete for the final continental berth at the global finals.
Senegal dominated Mauritania 4–0 in Diamniadio, with goals from Sadio Mané (2), Iliman Ndiaye, and Habib Diallo, topping Group B and returning to the World Cup.
Hosts Côte d’Ivoire cruised past Kenya 3–0 in Abidjan, with goals from Franck Kessié, Yan Diomandé, and Diallo, qualifying for their fourth World Cup in five editions.
Uganda stunned already-qualified Algeria to claim the Group G runners-up spot.
The Gambia closed out their campaign with a 7–0 rout of the Seychelles, led by a hat-trick from Abdoulie Manneh and two goals each from Adama Sidibeh and Musa Barrow, ending on a high despite elimination.
Mozambique beat Somalia 1–0, while Congo DR and Gabon secured their places in the Play-Off Tournament with narrow victories over Sudan and Burundi, respectively.
Already-qualified Morocco wrapped up their campaign with a 1–0 win over Congo, courtesy of Youssef En-Nesyri, while Algeria drew 2–2 with Uganda.
South Africa’s return to the World Cup marks a milestone for Bafana Bafana, ending a 13-year absence from football’s grandest stage and reigniting hopes for the nation ahead of the global finals.