2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: CAF Group C Set to Go Down to the Wire After Nigeria, Benin Victories
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Super Eagles keep World Cup hopes alive as Benin go top
Friday night proved crucial in CAF Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, as we saw Benin move top of the standings, two points clear of second-placed South Africa, while Nigeria pulled within a point of Bafana Bafana.
All three matches in the group kicked off simultaneously, and as halftime approached, the group standings were as they were at the start of the day, with none of the six sides managing to break the deadlock in any of their matches.
However, that changed 10 minutes into the second period over at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, where Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong gave his side the lead from the penalty spot against Lesotho.
Akor Adams then doubled Nigeria’s lead 10 minutes from time by scoring his first international goal. Lesotho pulled one back to make things interesting in the closing stages, but the three-time African champions held on to take all three points and confirm our football predictions.
At the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali, this year’s surprise package Benin took 80 minutes to find the go-ahead goal against Rwanda. Aiyegun Tosin scored what turned out to be the winner for the Cheetahs and took them to an outright lead in the standings.
Meanwhile, after Benin’s goal, frustrations became evident at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, where South Africa were still locked level at 0-0 with Zimbabwe, who had been reduced to 10 men when Knowledge Musona was sent off midway through the second half.
It was one-way traffic for the majority of the closing moments as Bafana Bafana threw everything into attack in search of a goal. However, the Warriors put bodies on the line at every opportunity and held on to earn a point and tossed their neighbours' qualification hopes into major doubt.
CAF Group C Qualification Scenario Ahead of Final Day
It has been a nightmarish couple of weeks for South Africa, who looked to be sailing to qualification, but after being docked three points for fielding an ineligible player, they are now at risk of being eliminated. However, plenty could still happen on the final day.
Starting with Benin - with a two-point buffer at the top of the table, a victory for the Cheetahs will guarantee their qualification to the World Cup. If they draw and South Africa wins, goal difference will come into play.
For South Africa - they have to win their final match of the group against Rwanda, and then need Nigeria to do them a huge favour by beating Benin. This situation would see South Africa overtake the Cheetahs into first place.
Finally, Nigeria must beat Benin by at least two clear goals and then need South Africa to lose to Rwanda to pull off one of the most unlikely comebacks ever. All the matches will be available on our World Cup livescore tool, so you do not miss a moment of the action on the final day.
CAF Group C Standings:
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benin | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 7 | +5 | 17 |
| 2 | South Africa | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 15 |
| 3 | Nigeria | 9 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 8 | +3 | 14 |
| 4 | Rwanda (E) | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 11 |
| 5 | Lesotho (E) | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 12 | −4 | 9 |
| 6 | Zimbabwe (E) | 9 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 11 | −6 | 5 |
