South Africa were cruising. Now they’re clinging. A belated points deduction and a goalless draw with Zimbabwe have left Bafana Bafana needing a win over Rwanda in Mbombela and a result from Nigeria against Benin to keep their World Cup dream alive. It’s the final Group C game and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

In a campaign that once promised control, Bafana Bafana now find themselves in a desperate scramble. Tuesday night’s clash against Rwanda in Mbombela is no longer just another qualifier; it’s the final group game and it’s loaded with consequence.

Hugo Broos’ side were sitting pretty until two moments flipped the script. First, a three-point deduction for fielding the ineligible Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho in March. Then, a goalless draw against Zimbabwe on Friday. The result? South Africa now trail Group C leaders Benin by two points and their fate is no longer in their own hands.

Here, GOAL builds up to the much-anticipated FIFA World Cup qualification clash, with South Africans' eyes fixed on the result between Nigeria and Benin.

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