Johannesburg: South Africa will return to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010 after narrowly claiming top spot in their qualifying group ahead of Nigeria and Benin. Benin, chasing their first-ever World Cup appearance, had started the last round of matches at the summit of Group C, two points ahead of South Africa and three in front of Nigeria. However, a 4-0 defeat against Nigeria saw Benin slip to third place, below Nigeria on goal difference.
According to BBC, the defeat was especially bitter for Benin after a 3-0 forfeit imposed by FIFA for fielding an ineligible player in their victory over Lesotho in March. This decision had initially seen South Africa drop from the top of the group to second place, making the final rounds of preliminaries crucial. Despite failing to beat Zimbabwe in a nominal away game, South Africa’s fortunes were restored with Benin’s defeat in the West African derby, giving Hugo Broos’ men a chance to secure their spot against the Wasps.
The remaining automatic qualifying spots from Africa, specifically from Group B and Group F, will be decided later, with teams like Senegal, DR Congo, Ivory Coast, and Gabon still in contention. Meanwhile, Nigeria could still reach the tournament set to take place in Canada, Mexico, and the United States through a challenging path that involves additional play-offs.
Nigeria’s qualification hopes remain alive thanks to Victor Osimhen’s remarkable performance. The Super Eagles, under the guidance of various coaches over the months, have faced numerous challenges, including Osimhen’s absence due to injury. However, his return proved pivotal. In a crucial match against Benin, Osimhen scored a hat-trick, ensuring Nigeria’s place in the African play-offs. His goals, combined with a final strike from Frank Onyeka, secured a 4-0 victory, keeping Nigeria’s World Cup dreams alive.
Nigeria’s journey to the World Cup finals next year will depend significantly on keeping Osimhen fit for the upcoming continental play-offs. His influence on the team has been undeniable, and his performance will be crucial in determining Nigeria’s success in securing a spot in the expanded 48-team tournament.