World Cup 2026 qualifiers – Africa zone: Group C update | OneFootball

A look at Group C in the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup

South Africa/@Africa Soccer

The qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup (Africa Zone) resume this week with the matches of the 7th and 8th rounds across the nine groups. Foot Africa brings you the latest on Group C.

South Africa have their fate in their own hands in this third pool. Hugo Broos’s men hold a five-point lead over Rwanda and Benin, and are six points clear of Nigeria. That cushion allows them to approach the remaining four matchdays of qualification with confidence.

Victories against Lesotho and Nigeria could secure the Bafana Bafana’s spot in this group even before the final two matchdays. But caution is needed with the Super Eagles, who are playing for their last chance and must pull off something special to at least finish among the four best runners-up of the nine groups and reach the playoffs.

Group C schedule

Matchday 7:

09/05 at 16:00: Lesotho – South Africa

09/05 at 16:00: Benin - Zimbabwe

09/06 at 16:00: Nigeria - Rwanda

Matchday 8:

09/09 at 13:00: Zimbabwe - Rwanda

09/09 at 19:00: Benin - Lesotho

Group C standings

1- South Africa 13 pts (+5)

2- Rwanda 8 pts (0)

3- Benin 8 pts (-1)

4- Nigeria 7 pts (+1)

5- Lesotho 6 pts (-1)

6- Zimbabwe 4 pts (-4)