South Africa booked their return to the FIFA World Cup™ for the first time since 2010 after a dramatic final day of African qualifying — a night defined by Victor Osimhen’s masterclass that sent Benin tumbling and Nigeria soaring.
Elsewhere, Uganda stunned already-qualified Algeria to claim the Group G runners-up spot, while The Gambia closed out their campaign with a goal-fest in the Seychelles.
Nigeria 4–0 Benin
Nigeria scorers: Osimhen (3, 37, 51), Onyeka (90)
Victor Osimhen produced one of the finest individual performances of the qualifiers as Nigeria dismantled Group C leaders Benin 4–0 in Uyo.
The Super Eagles got off to a flying start when Samuel Chukwueze pounced on a loose pass and fed Osimhen, who clinically slotted home inside three minutes.
Benin never recovered from that early blow, and Osimhen struck again before the break — a towering header from Chukwueze’s pinpoint cross — to double Nigeria’s advantage.
The Galatasaray striker completed his hat-trick six minutes into the second half, nodding in Moses Simon’s free-kick to crush Benin’s resistance.
Substitute Frank Onyeka volleyed home late on to complete the rout, sending Benin from first to third and allowing South Africa to top the group and seal automatic qualification.
Nigeria, meanwhile, finish second and must now wait to learn if they will qualify for the FIFA Play-off Tournament as one of the four best runners-up.
South Africa 3–0 Rwanda
South Africa scorers: Mbatha (5), Appollis (26), Makgopa (72)
South Africa’s long wait for another World Cup appearance is finally over.
Knowing they needed both a win and help from elsewhere, Bafana Bafana did their part in emphatic style in Mbombela.
Thalente Mbatha ignited early celebrations with a powerful strike that squeezed through goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari’s gloves, before Oswin Appollis doubled the advantage midway through the first half with a crisp finish from Evidence Makgopa’s assist.
The pair combined again after the interval as Appollis’s corner found Makgopa, who headed home to seal a commanding victory and spark jubilant scenes across the country.
Seychelles 0–7 The Gambia
The Gambia scorers: Sidibeh (2, 46), Manneh (24, 67, 75), Barrow (47, 52)
Already out of contention, The Gambia still put on a show in Saint Pierre with an emphatic win over the Seychelles.
Abdoulie Manneh led the charge with a hat-trick, while Adama Sidibeh and Musa Barrow each netted twice. The result ensured the Scorpions ended their campaign on a high, with their attack firing on all cylinders despite elimination.
Guinea 2–2 Botswana
Guinea scorers: Traoré (18), Baldé (34)
Botswana scorers: Boy (7), Mohutsiwa (45+1)
An entertaining draw in Conakry saw Abdoul Traoré continue his breakout form with another goal for Guinea, who battled back from an early setback.
After Segolame Boy gave Botswana the lead, Traoré headed home a superb equaliser before Aliou Baldé fired the hosts in front with a solo effort. But the Zebras refused to wilt, and Gape Mohutsiwa restored parity on the stroke of half-time.
Somalia 0–1 Mozambique
Mozambique scorer: Catamo (5)
Mozambique closed their qualifying campaign with a narrow win over Somalia in Bir El Djir, Algeria.
Geny Catamo took advantage of an early mix-up in the Somali defence to slot home inside five minutes, and that proved enough for Chiquinho Conde’s men to claim all three points.
Despite a spirited effort, Somalia failed to score their first World Cup qualifying goal since June 2024.
