World Cup Qualifiers
After a goalless draw with Zimbabwe, Bafana Bafana face a must-win final World Cup qualifier against Rwanda. Even a victory may not secure progress — South Africa must also hope Nigeria halts Benin to keep their 2026 FIFA World Cup dream alive as Group C reaches its tense conclusion.
How Bafana Bafana Can Still Reach the 2026 World Cup: The Scenarios Explained
After Friday night’s frustrating goalless draw against Zimbabwe at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Bafana Bafana find themselves walking a tightrope on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The stalemate, which saw South Africa drop two valuable points, has turned their final qualifier against Rwanda into a must-win encounter — and even that may not guarantee a ticket to North America.
Now, Hugo Broos’s side must not only win but also hope that results elsewhere go their way in what promises to be a dramatic final round in Group C.
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How Group C Looks
Friday’s other fixtures only deepened the tension. Nigeria claimed a 2–1 victory over Lesotho in Polokwane, closing the gap on South Africa to a single point. Meanwhile, Benin’s narrow 1–0 win over Rwanda pushed them to the top of the standings with 17 points.
That leaves Benin leading the group, Bafana Bafana second on 15 points, and Nigeria lurking in third. With just one matchday remaining, all three nations are still in contention — and everything could change in 90 minutes.
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What South Africa Need to Do
For South Africa, the equation is simple on paper but complicated in reality.
They must beat Rwanda on Tuesday. Anything less, and their World Cup hopes are over.
But even with three points, Bafana Bafana’s destiny is not entirely in their hands. Their qualification hopes hinge on the outcome of the other Group C clash between Nigeria and Benin.
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Scenario One: The Ideal Outcome
If Nigeria defeat Benin, Bafana Bafana would leapfrog to the top of the table and qualify automatically for the World Cup. It would be a perfect ending for a team that has shown promise throughout this campaign.
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Scenario Two: The Complicated Route
However, if Benin beat Nigeria, South Africa’s path becomes far more difficult. They would then need to rely on an unlikely combination of results across other groups to secure one of the playoff spots reserved for the best runners-up — a long shot at best.
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A Nation Holds Its Breath
This final round sets up a nail-biting conclusion to what has been one of Africa’s most competitive qualifying groups.
For Hugo Broos and his players, Tuesday represents more than just a football match — it is a test of belief, composure, and resilience.
Having come so close to automatic qualification, Bafana Bafana will now need to summon every ounce of character and discipline to keep their World Cup dream alive.
As the country braces for the final whistle, one thing is certain: South Africa’s hopes will hang not only on their performance in Polokwane but also on what unfolds hundreds of kilometres away, where Nigeria and Benin will decide the rest of the story.
