World Cup qualifying: South Africa clinch place ahead of Nigeria but dream remains alive for Super Eagles

• Last Update: October 14, 2025 07:17:17 pm BST • 2 min read

South Africa clinched one of the final African World Cup qualifying places over Nigeria thanks to their win against Rwanda.

Bafana Bafana needed to win their game to ensure they topped Group C, finishing ahead of their rivals by just a single point, despite Nigeria’s win over Benin.

Nigeria cruised to a dominant 4-0 win, thanks to a Victor Osimhen hat-trick and a late strike from Frank Onyeka.

The Super Eagles made a blistering start in Abuja, taking the lead inside four minutes when Osimhen finished neatly from Samuel Chukwueze’s pass.

The Napoli striker doubled the advantage before half-time with another header, again assisted by Chukwueze, to put Nigeria firmly in control at the break.

Osimhen completed his treble early in the second half, nodding home from close range after good work by Moses Simon.

In stoppage time, Frank Onyeka added a fourth, firing high into the net from Simon’s assist to seal an emphatic win.

Nigeria will still have a chance to qualify, however, as they finished second and head into a play-off.

South Africa get it done

South Africa produced a commanding display to beat Rwanda 3-0 and secure qualification.

The hosts struck early when Thalente Mbatha fired a superb right-footed shot into the top corner from distance after just five minutes.

Their relentless attacking play soon paid off again, as Oswin Appollis doubled the lead midway through the first half with a clinical finish, set up by Evidence Makgopa after a flowing move.

Rwanda showed brief moments of threat – Abeddy Biramahire hit the post late on – but South Africa controlled the tempo and created the better chances throughout.

The result was sealed in the 72nd minute when Makgopa headed home from close range following another pinpoint cross by Appollis.