By Mark Ogagan
South Africa became the latest African nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after beating Rwanda 3-0 on Tuesday to win Group C.
It will be South Africa’s first appearance at the finals since qualifying automatically as hosts in 2010.
Despite being docked three points by FIFA for fielding an ineligible player in a match against Lesotho last year, Bafana Bafana bounced back to regain top spot on the final day of qualifying.
Bafana took the lead on five minutes when Thalente Mbatha made space for himself outside the area and powered through the gloves of Fiacre Ntwari.
Ntwari redeemed himself six minutes later and rushed out of his area to thwart Oswin Appollis executing a reverse pass into the near post.
Appollis did get the better of the Kaizer Chiefs shot-stopper midway through the half when he attacked a ball from Makgopa and fired into the top corner.
South Africa then finished off the contest by adding the third goal inside the final 10 minutes when Evidence Makgopa sneaked in the near post to nod a pin-point corner from Appollis in off Ntwari.
Confirmed line-ups:
South Africa: Williams, Mudau, Sibisi, Ndamana, Modiba, Mokoena, Mbatha, Mbule, Morena, Apollis, Makgopa
Subs: Chaine, Goss, Shabalala, Aubaas, Cupido, Sithole, Matuludi, Nkota, Moremi, Khoza, Kabini, Moloisane
South Africa’s victory meant Nigeria finished second in the group and will have to go though the playoff route to secure qualification.
www.amatropics.com
Discussion about this post