In a decisive shock in Group C of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, Lesotho achieved a major feat by snatching a spectacular victory against South Africa on their own ground at Free State Stadium on the evening of Friday, September 5, 2025. This unexpected triumph shifts the group standings by propelling Lesotho from fifth to second place, intensifying the race for the World Cup spots.
This high-stakes match saw Lesotho overcome their underdog status to dominate one of the group favorites. Although technically a home match for Lesotho, it was played in South Africa, further deepening the qualification dynamics. This performance allows Lesotho to put additional pressure on other contenders, notably Nigeria and Rwanda, who will play their respective matches in the coming hours.
The significance of this result is also strategic: a win for the South African Crocodiles would have cemented their lead with 13 points, but this setback complicates their task, while Lesotho fully benefits from the ranking to consider a historic qualification for the final tournament. This turnaround reshuffles the cards in one of the most competitive groups in the African qualifiers.
With the 2026 World Cup looming large, this victory brings unprecedented hope to Lesotho and stands out as the leading news in African championships today. The battle for supremacy in Group C gains intensity, and this Lesotho victory will remain one of the highlights of the final international matchday in African football.