South Africa has booked an automatic slot for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the expense of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

In one of the most intriguing last round finishes of the African qualifiers in Group C, South Africa, Nigeria, and Benin had shot of qualifying as group winners.

Benin were in pole position to clinch their first-ever qualification but had to jump over the Nigerian hurdle in Uyo on Tuesday afternoon.

However, a Victor Osimhen hat-trick and Frank Onyeka strike downed the Cheetahs, as the whole of Nigeria dreamed for a minute of reaching the global fiesta.

Meanwhile, in Nelspruit at the same time, Bafana Bafana were handing Rwanda a beatdown to rise to the number one spot in the group.

Now, South Africa has joined Cape Verde, Ghana, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria as the automatic slot clinchers for the World Cup.