Overview

• Nigeria’s 4-0 victory over Benin, combined with South Africa’s 3-0 result in Mbombela, confirmed top spot in Group C and qualification.
• Orlando Pirates’ Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis and Evidence Makgopa scored all three goals, with coverage also highlighting Sundowns’ role in feeding the national team.
• Hugo Broos, 73, says he will step down after the 2026 World Cup, framing qualification as the payoff for a three-year rebuild.
• Broos handed Kaizer Chiefs’ Mduduzi Shabalala a brief debut and said youngsters are integrated slowly based on training attitude.
• The campaign included a FIFA points deduction over an ineligible player, prompting fresh scrutiny of SAFA, while local reports suggest some Kaizer Chiefs players may seek moves to boost national-team chances.