South Africa's Road to World Cup Now Depends on Nigeria

Bafana Bafana's World Cup hopes hinge on Nigeria's result

South Africa's final World Cup qualifier match against Rwanda takes on new significance after Zimbabwe draw. Bafana Bafana's World Cup qualification hopes rest on Nigeria's result against Benin Republic.

“I think we tried everything, we didn’t have the luck either, one moment on the ball line saved, one on the post, you also need a little bit of luck in such games...”

South Africa's World Cup hopes remain alive despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Zimbabwe. Bafana Bafana now need a favorable result from Nigeria's match against Benin Republic to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Coach Hugo Broos' team must beat Rwanda on Tuesday and hope Nigeria defeats Benin Republic in their final group matches. A win against Rwanda coupled with a Nigeria victory would secure South Africa's spot in the World Cup.

Zimbabwe's 0-0 draw with South Africa means Rwanda are eliminated from the World Cup qualification race after Benin Republic scored a late goal in Kigali to take the top spot in the group. A draw for Benin would leave South Africa needing to win by two clear goals more than Nigeria to overtake them on goal difference.

“It will be very important to see what happens in the game between Nigeria and Benin,” Broos said. “We will see what the result will be there. But on the other side, we don’t really have to look.

“If we win the game (against Rwanda) we will then see what happens. And that is the most important thing. It will not be easy, certainly not. But as long as it’s possible, you have to believe.

“I think we will be a little bit down for one or two days. But I will do everything to once again have a team that believes on Tuesday, one that will try to win the game with as many goals as possible because (the group) may be decided on goal difference.”

Nkota comes close!!

Visuals Courtesy of @SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/zkGCGeeBZW

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 10, 2025

South Africa hit the post twice and had a shot cleared off the line, but ultimately came up short, leaving coach Hugo Broos lamenting his team's bad luck in not scoring the crucial goal against Zimbabwe.

“I think we tried everything, we didn’t have the luck either, one moment on the ball line saved, one on the post, you also need a little bit of luck in such games and we didn’t have it in our side,” Broos said.

“We fight for it, we did everything, tried everything but you see a very motivated Zimbabwe team against us and we knew it would be tough, but that’s also football.

“It was not in our favour, Zimbabwe just played 20 metres in front of their goal and they tried a few times with the transitions.

“They were dangerous too, but this is something that’s very hard to accept certainly, it’s not lost totally but it will be very difficult now.”

Visuals Courtesy of @SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/eoVcTY0HU9

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 10, 2025

Coach Hugo Broos refused to fault his players for the 0-0 draw, which has put South Africa's World Cup qualification hopes in a precarious position ahead of their final match against Rwanda.