South Africa's bid to reach the 2026 World Cup Finals concludes on Tuesday when they are tasked with beating Rwanda in Nelspruit whilst hoping other results go their way.
Group C: As It Stands
All teams have played 8 matches and have 2 remaining. Group winner qualifies automatically, runners up can potentially qualify via the play offs.
Benin 17 points
South Africa 15 points
Nigeria 14 points
Rwanda 11 points
Lesotho 9 points
Zimbabwe 5 points
Key Remaining Matches:
Tuesday 14th October
South Africa v Rwanda
Nigeria v Benin
South Africa:
Bafana played out a 0-0 draw with Zimbabwe on Friday and remain in second place in Group C and automatic qualification is no longer in their own hands. However, given group leaders Benin play third place Nigeria is is possible that victory here would see Bafana finish top of the group and book their ticket to the 2026 finals.
Prior the stalemate with Zim Bafana's previous 2 qualifiers were both staged in Bloemfontein a month ago. They were comfortable 3-0 winners against Lesotho in the first of those matches and then played out a creditable 1-1 draw with Nigeria. At the time that put Bafana in firm control of the group and with top spot in touching distance but they were subsequently docked 3 points for fielding an ineligible player in an earlier qualifier against Lesotho in March which Bafana had “won” 2-0.
The first qualifier against Rwanda was staged back in November 2023 and Rwanda won it 2-0.
Rwanda:
Rwanda conceded in the 80th minute at home to Benin on Friday, a 1-0 defeat which ended their own hopes of qualification. Their record in this group comprises of 3 wins, 2 draws and 4 defeats, aside from the home win over Bafana they have have won 1-0 away to Lesotho and Zimbabwe, they lost 1-0 in Benin and Nigeria and goals have been scarce with 5 scored and 6 conceded.
The Betting:
At the time of writing South Africa are 1 / 5 to win the game, the draw is 4/1 and Rwanda are priced at 14/1
A game of 3 goals or more in total is even money and it's 22/10 for both teams to score
Verdict
Given Rwanda have dropped out of contention this should be more straight forward for Bafana than it could have been and I think they will win comfortably although whether that will be enough to top the group remains to be seen
Bet: South Africa total match goals over 2.5 at 1.55/1 with SuperSportBet
Note, odds are subject to change
