Explained: How Rwanda's victory over South Africa can help Super Eagles qualify for 2026 World Cup

19:08 - 21 November 2023

Rwanda's 2-0 win against South Africa works in favour of Jose Peseiro's Super Eagles

Rwanda beat South Africa 2-0 in the World Cup qualifiers and the result has renewed Jose Peseiro's hopes of helping the Super Eagles qualify.

Rwanda moved to the top of Group C in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying group with a convincing 2-0 victory at home to South Africa.

First-half goals from Innocent Nshuti and Gilbert Mugisha sealed the massive result on all fronts for the Amavubi who now go top of Group C.

However, it's not just Rwandans who celebrated the result at the Huye Stadium but Nigeria as well because it denied South Africa the opportunity to open up a significant lead.

FT: Rwanda 🇷🇼 2-0 🇿🇦 South Africa

12’ Innocent Nshuti
28’ Gilbert Mugisha

Massive result on all fronts for Amavubi who now go top of Group C in a group that also has giants Nigeria.

The players and fans will remember this result for a while. Incroyable. 👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/2rPJvcdyE0
— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) November 21, 2023

How Rwanda 2-0 South Africa helps Nigeria

Nigeria started their qualifiers journey with two disappointing draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe with means the Super Eagles only have two points from a possible six.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria || Image credit: CBS Golazo (X)

South Africa started off with a 2-1 win against Benin to top the group and another win would have extended their lead at the top but Rwanda stopped that from happening.

Rwanda now have four points because they drew their first game against Zimbabwe but they are still top of Group C ahead of South Africa who are the only other team in this group to have won a game.

FT:
Rwanda 2-0 South Africa
Lesotho 0-0 Benin

Group C Standings after 2 matches.

Nigeria sit 3rd with 2 points off the top - The results today didn't damage the hopes. pic.twitter.com/4lFxAHHZV6
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) November 21, 2023

The other result in the group also worked in Nigeria's favour as Lesotho played out a goalless draw at home to Benin Republic.

This means the Super Eagles are third and just two points off the top of Group C, they have pretty much been taken off the hook by the other teams in the group and their World Cup qualification hopes are very much alive.