South Africa’s World Cup qualification hopes on a knife’s edge

Bafana Bafana will have to go back to the drawing board as they head into their final match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

This follows a devastating blow in their match against Zimbabwe on Friday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, ending in a 0-0 draw.

South Africa will now not only have to secure a win against Rwanda on Tuesday at Mbombela Stadium, but have to hope that Nigeria, just one point behind, beat Group C leader Benin when they also face off on Tuesday.

Benin won 1-0 in Rwanda to go two points clear of South Africa. Nigeria moved within three points of Benin, who they host on Tuesday in Uyo, by defeating Lesotho 2-1.

Losses eliminated Rwanda and Lesotho from qualifying, turning the group into a three-team contest for first place.

Meanwhile Gabon star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored four goals in the African 2026 World Cup qualifying on Friday, and kept Gabon in contention for a first appearance at the global showpiece as his goals gave them a 4-3 victory over the Gambia. Gabon trail Group F leaders Ivory Coast by
one point.

Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia have already won groups to claim four of the nine places
reserved for Africa. There could be a 10th representative after inter-continental play-offs next
March.
The final matchday, from Sunday to Tuesday, will decide the other five places, with Senegal,
Benin, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast and Ghana the current table toppers.

Ivory Coast have 23 points and Gabon 22 ahead of the final round next week, when both
teams will enjoy home advantage. The Ivorians play Kenya and the Gabonese face Burundi.
Senegal maintained a two-point lead over the Democratic Republic of Congo in Group B after
the contenders had contrasting away victories.

Senegal have 21 points and DR Congo 19 ahead of their final fixtures. The Senegalese host
Mauritania while the Congolese will be at home to Sudan.
Sudan drew 0-0 with Mauritania in Dar es Salaam, a result that eliminated them from the race
for a World Cup place.

Here are the qualifiers and contenders with one matchday remaining:

• Group A

Egypt qualified

• Group B

Senegal (21), Democratic Republic of Congo (19)

• Group C

Benin (17), South Africa (15), Nigeria (14)

• Group D

Cape Verde (20), Cameroon (18)

• Group E

Morocco qualified

• Group F

Ivory Coast (23), Gabon (22)

• Group G

Algeria qualified

• Group H

Tunisia qualified

• Group I

Ghana (22), Madagascar (19)