Rwanda’s head coach, Adel Amrouche has admitted defeat, and praisted South Africa following their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while emphasizing the lessons his own side will take from the campaign.
South Africa’s men’s national team, Bafana Bafana, secured their spot in next summer’s global showpiece after defeating Rwanda 3-0 in the Group C Confederation of African section of World Cup qualification on Tuesday.
Goals from Evidence Makgopa, Oswin Appollis, and Thalente Mbatha ensured Hugo Broos’ side completed their task, aiming for their first World Cup finals appearance since 2010, when South Africa hosted the tournament.
That result, coupled with Benin losing 3-0 to Nigeria, means South Africa automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup as Group C winners.
In a post-match interview, Amrouche congratulated Hugo Broos and his whole team reflecting on the significance of representing one’s country. “Playing for your national team and representing the continent is very important. For us, we’ll work on the mistakes we saw today. It’s good that the pressure is now off; everyone knows who has qualified and who remains.”
Rwanda, like Benin in the same group, did not qualify for the global showpiece. The national team, Amavubi, finished fifth in Group C with 11 points, having won three games, drawn twice, and lost five, ahead of Zimbabwe in sixth position with only five points.
Nigeria finished second in the group with 17 points, just behind South Africa. The Super Eagles now progress to the playoff stage as one of the four best runners-up, where they will face Gabon in the semi-finals of the African zone play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following the conclusion of the group stage on Tuesday.
