Zimbabwe has confirmed that their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa will no longer be held in South Africa but in Rwanda which may boost Nigeria’s chances of cutting gaps at the head of the table and qualifying for the 2026 world cup.
The Warriors who played out a 1:1 draw with the Super Eagles in Uyo are banned by FIFA from hosting games due to stadium inadequacies, had initially played two of their ‘home’ matches in South Africa.
However, for the potentially decisive clash against Bafana Bafana on October 5, Zimbabwe has secured approval from CAF to host the encounter in Rwanda instead.
This move arrives at a critical time, not just for Zimbabwe but for Nigeria too. The Super Eagles are currently in fourth place in Group C, six points adrift of table-toppers South Africa. Any slip-up from Hugo Broos’ side could reopen the door for Nigeria to re-enter the qualification race.
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Zimbabwe, who are bottom of the group with five points, remain mathematically in the hunt. Their gritty 1-1 draw against Nigeria in Uyo has given them belief, and moving the clash to a neutral venue outside South Africa may offer a psychological edge. South Africa had beaten Zimbabwe 3-1 in the reverse fixture.
The updated fixture list now sees Zimbabwe travel to Abidjan to face Benin on September 1, before hosting Rwanda in Kigali on September 5. Then comes the key fixture against South Africa in Rwanda on October 5, coinciding with Nigeria’s away tie against Lesotho.
Zimbabwe drew 1:1 with the Super Eagles in Uyo to mathematically keep world cup qualifying hopes alive. (Photo credit: Getty Images)
On October 8, South Africa wraps up against Rwanda while Nigeria will play their final group game at home to Benin.
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South Africa currently lead Group C with 13 points, with Rwanda and Benin close behind on eight. Lesotho (six points) and Zimbabwe (five) trail, but with four rounds of fixtures left, the race remains wide open.
Nigeria’s route to the 2026 World Cup now hinges not only on their own performances but also on the results of rivals like South Africa and a pending investigation into Bafana Bafana’s alleged use of an ineligible player against Lesotho.
Only the group winner qualifies automatically, while the best-ranked second-placed teams across a few African groups will enter a playoff, with one final intercontinental ticket up for grabs.
