South Africa will beat Nigeria to the sole Group C ticket of for the 2026 World Cup. This is the submission of Doctor Khumalo, the Bafana Bafana legend.
Khumalo said given what he saw between the two sides at the recently ended 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa would pick the sole ticket as both countries are housed in Group C of the CAF qualifiers alongside Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Rwanda and Benin Republic.
The Super Eagles drew their first two matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, while South Africa defeated the Cheetahs of Benin Republic and lost to Rwanda. Both teams are set to clash in June.
However, following both teams’ impressive displays at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, Khumalo believed that South Africa can beat Nigeria, insisting that he can bet all his money.
“For them to qualify, let’s not dismantle it; it’s not yet broken. So, let’s give Hugo [South Africa coach] support,” Khumalo said on SABC News.
“Helman and the background staff, and the boys, let’s allow them to continue the way they did in Ivory Coast.
“I would like to believe that Nigeria is in our group, but from what I have seen in Ivory Coast, I can bet all my money that South Africa can overcome that obstacle.”
Rwanda currently tops the standings with four points, followed by South Africa in second place with three points, and Nigeria trailing in third with two points.
Only the nine group winners will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the four best group runners-up will be drawn into play-offs to determine the CAF representative at the inter-confederation play-offs.
