Wild celebrations erupted in South Africa Tuesday evening following the convincing 3-0 victory of the Bafana Bafana over the Rwandan national team to earn the country a place in the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the United States of America.
In Nigeria, however, it was all gloom despite the Super Eagles 4-0 thrashing of the Benin Republic team in the last match of the World Cup qualifying match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The victory, seen by many as too little, too late, may not be enough to see the Super Eagles at the World Cup.
South Africa topped the group with 18 points, while Nigeria and Benin Republic ended with 17 points each. Nigeria, with a superior goal difference, clinched the second spot.
The Super Eagles concluded their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a resounding 4–0 victory over Benin Republic on Tuesday evening.
Nigeria entered their final fixture needing a convincing win, having kept their qualification hopes alive with a 2–1 triumph over Lesotho last weekend.
They began brightly against Gernot Rohr’s side, with Victor Osimhen finding the net within the opening three minutes.
Osimhen doubled the lead with a header just before half-time, as the Eagles took firm control of proceedings in Uyo.
The Galatasaray striker completed his hat-trick in the second half, before Frank Onyeka added a late fourth with a well-struck volley.
The result ensures Nigeria finish second in Group C, behind South Africa, who thrashed Rwanda 3–0 to secure the automatic qualification spot.
