Bafana Bafana return to World Cup after 16 years; Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire also qualify

Three of Africa’s traditional heavyweights — Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and South Africa — confirmed their places at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ after a dramatic final round of CAF qualifiers.

The trio secured automatic qualification on a night filled with goals, tension, and jubilation across the continent.

Meanwhile, Congo DR, Nigeria, and Gabon joined Cameroon in booking their tickets for next month’s African Play-Off Tournament, where four teams will fight for one last continental berth at the global finals.

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.

Senegal 4–0 Mauritania

Senegal scorers: Mané (45+1, 49), Ndiaye (64), Diallo (85)

Senegal delivered a statement of intent in Diamniadio, thrashing Mauritania to book their World Cup ticket in emphatic fashion.

After an opening half of missed chances, the Lions of Teranga finally broke through when Sadio Mané curled a stunning free-kick past goalkeeper Abderrahmane Sarr just before half-time. The Liverpool legend doubled the lead minutes after the restart, calmly finishing from close range.

With their place virtually secured, Iliman Ndiaye added a spectacular solo effort before Habib Diallo capped off the night with a composed finish. Senegal’s victory means they top Group B with authority and return to the global stage they lit up in 2022.

Côte d’Ivoire 3–0 Kenya

Côte d’Ivoire scorers: Kessié (8), Diomandé (54), Diallo (85)**

Hosts Côte d’Ivoire cruised into the World Cup with a commanding display in Abidjan, extending their perfect home record in the qualifiers.

The Elephants were in control from the outset, with Franck Kessié firing in the opener after a slick one-two with Amad Diallo. Rising star Yan Diomandé doubled the lead with a composed strike shortly after the break, before Diallo added a late third to seal the win.

Under coach Emerse Faé, Côte d’Ivoire have now qualified for their fourth World Cup in five editions, continuing their resurgence after last year’s AFCON triumph.

Congo DR 1–0 Sudan

Congo DR scorer: Bongonda (29)**

Theo Bongonda’s first-half strike earned Congo DR victory in Kinshasa, securing them a place in the African Play-Off Tournament. Though the Leopards fell short of automatic qualification due to Senegal’s win, Sébastien Desabre’s men will still have another shot at reaching the finals through the continental play-offs.

Gabon 2–0 Burundi

Gabon scorers: Meyo (86), Lemina (90+1)**

Two late goals from Bryan Meyo and Mario Lemina lifted Gabon to a morale-boosting win over Burundi in Franceville. The result confirmed Gabon’s spot in the Play-Off Tournament, rewarding their persistence in a campaign that saw them narrowly miss out on automatic qualification.

Elsewhere

Already-qualified Morocco closed their campaign with a 1–0 home win over Congo, courtesy of Youssef En-Nesyri’s second-half goal.

In Boukhalfa, Mohamed Amoura scored two stoppage-time penalties to rescue Algeria from defeat against Uganda, while Mozambique beat Somalia 1–0 in Bir El Djir thanks to Geny Catamo’s early strike.