By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa will return to the Fifa World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010 after narrowly claiming top spot in their qualifying group.
Bafana Bafana eased to a 3-0 home win over Rwanda at Mbombela stadium, Mpumalanga on Tuesday evening.
Hugo Broos side got off to a brilliant start with Oswin Appollis causing havoc for the Amavubi defence.
The quick winger set up Thalente Mbatha, who netted with a powerful shot from outside the box to hand South Africa a 1-0 lead five minutes into the match.
The hosts doubled their lead four minutes before the half-hour mark after a good team move.
Appollis grabbed a well-deserved goal after being set up by his Orlando Pirates teammate Evidence Makgopa and South Africa were 2-0 up at the interval.
Bafana Bafana did not take their foot off the pedal after the restart as they continued to launch attacks and they extended their lead in the 72nd minute.
Appollis grabbed his second assist of the game as his corner-kick was headed home by Evidence Makgopa, who sealed South Africa’s 3-0 win.
Meanwhile Nigeria qualified for the second round of the 2026 World Cup after they cruised to a 4-0 victory over Benin at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Tuesday night.
Elsewhere Cape Verde have become the second-smallest nation to reach the World Cup after the islanders beat Eswatini 3-0 at home on Monday night.