Everything is up for grabs in Group C where favorites Nigeria got off to a disastrous start and are now in serious danger of missing out on the World Cup finals if the Super Eagles don't get it together. But for nations like Rwanda, Benin and of course in form South Africa, an opportunity is on the table to either make their World Cup debut or in the case of Bafana Bafana, their first appearance in over twenty years.
Group C Table (4 matches played)
Points | |
Rwanda | 7 |
South Africa | 7 |
Benin | 7 |
Lesotho | 5 |
Nigeria | 3 |
Zimbabwe | 2 |
The group winner qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Four of the nine group runners-up qualify for a playoff to determine Africa's representative at the intercontinental qualifying playoff.
Fixtures
March 20- Zimbabwe vs Benin (Durban, South Africa)
March 21- South Africa vs Lesotho (Polokwane, South Africa)
March 21- Rwanda vs Nigeria (Kigali, Rwanda)
March 25
Benin vs South Africa (Abidjan, Ivory Coast)
Nigeria vs Zimbabwe (Uyo, Nigeria)
Rwanda vs Lesotho (Kigali, Rwanda)
Evaluation
While much of the attention is being given to the clash between Nigeria and Rwanda from the Nigerian perspective, it is a massive opportunity for the Amavubi of Rwanda to fully establish themselves as a serious contender. However, the current favorites to finish top of the group are South Africa who continue to play well under coach Hugo Broos.
The no-nonsense Belgian coach has given this Bafana Bafana team an edge that was lacking in previous Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifying campaigns. Benin are a capable side but lack the star power to be seen as a serious contender to do anything beyond a second place finish. Zimbabwe need a miracle at this point while Lesotho continue to be a team who relish being the underdog and a difficult team to break down.
Key Players
Victor Osimhen- Nigeria (Club: Galatasaray [TUR])
A simple explanation for why Nigeria is in the position they are in is because their talisman has not been able to appear in any of their World Cup qualifying matches. When the current cycle began at the end of November 2023 stretching into June 2024, Osimhen was struggling with injuries including the nasty facial fracture that is the reason for the mask he currently wears.
In excellent form on loan at Turkish club Galatasaray from Italian club Napoli, the 26-year-old elite striker now must make up for lost time. However it may not be so simple that Nigeria has struggled purely because of Osimhen's absence because he did make an appearance when the Super Eagles' first opponents in March, Rwanda, won in Nigeria at the end of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.
Ange Mutsinzi- Rwanda (Club: FK Zira [AZE])
While current Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari got much of the attention during recent successes for Rwanda against the likes of South Africa and Nigeria, Mutsinzi is an ever present force in the Amavubi backline.
The central defender continues to grind hard in European club football, first in the second divisions of Portugal and Norway before finding a home in the top tier of Azerbaijan with FK Zira. His decision to move abroad, something few Rwandan players do successfully, is paying off big time as he gradually improves his confidence on the ball and positioning. Rwanda has only conceded one goal in their four qualifying matches and Mutsinzi is a major reason why.
Percy Tau- South Africa (Club: Qatar SC [QAT])
The popular attacker has only made one appearance for Bafana Bafana since the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations played in early 2024. Considering some of the excellent form we saw from South Africa as they topped their 2025 AFCON qualifying group, it will be interesting to see how coach Hugo Broos uses the former Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns star.
With players like Iqraam Rayners, Elias Mokwana and Oswin Appollis establishing themselves in the squad there are plenty of options for the South Africa coach but Broos has publicly backed Tau to have a role in March. Citing his now consistent playing time at new club Qatar SC, it appears that Tau will be in the eleven and the first match against Lesotho is an excellent opportunity to reintegrate the explosive forward before a challenging fixture away at Benin.
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