South Africa qualify for World Cup despite points deduction

CAPE TOWN :South Africa overcame the embarrassment of a three-point deduction in their World Cup qualifying campaign to finish top of their group on Tuesday and reach next year’s finals, although they had Nigeria partially to thank for their progress.

South Africa beat Rwanda 3-0 in Nelspruit to finish first in Group C as Benin, who had a two-point lead going into the final round of fixtures, tumbled from top place to third in the standings after being thumped 4-0 by Nigeria in Uyo.

Victor Osimhen grabbed a hat-trick to keep Nigeria’s hopes alive as they seek to advance to a playoff next month for the four best runners-up from the nine African qualifying groups.

South Africa finished on 18 points, with Nigeria runners-up ahead of Benin on goal difference as both ended with 17 points. 

South Africa had three points deducted last month after being found guilty of fielding a suspended player in an earlier qualifier in March, a mistake they admitted.

SOUTH AFRICA BACK AT WORLD CUP FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2010

But that will be largely forgotten now as South Africa qualified for the first time since they hosted the finals in 2010.

Thalente Mbatha scored after five minutes, and Oswin Appollis netted the second in the 21st minute to put South Africa on their way. Striker Evidence Makgopa made it 3-0 in the 72nd minute with a header from a corner.

For Nigeria, Osimhen opened his account in the third minute from Samuel Chukwueze's through pass and the same player then crossed for the striker to head home a second in the 37th minute.

He completed his hat-trick soon after halftime, heading home a chipped pass from Moses Simon, but the best goal was the last - thrashed in on the volley by Frank Onyeka.

Algeria secured qualification last week and