South African football icon Benni McCarthy has admitted that he was delighted Nigeria thrashed the Republic of Benin 4-0 in their final group match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Going into the last round of fixtures in Group C, Benin sat at the top of the standings and needed only a victory over the Super Eagles to seal a historic World Cup spot, irrespective of the result between South Africa and Rwanda. 

But a Victor Osimhen hat-trick alongside Frank Onyeka's late strike ended those hopes emphatically, while simultaneously reviving Bafana Bafana's.

Nigeria's commanding win confirmed South Africa's return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010 when they hosted the tournament.

McCarthy, the country's all-time leading scorer with 31 goals, said he followed the final qualifying matches intently from his home in the United Kingdom, fully aware of what was at stake for his nation.

"I was at home in the UK and I was watching, keeping a really, really close eye on what's happening because the last time Bafana qualified for the World Cup, I played,” he said to SportyTV.

"So, that's a very long time not to qualify. I was rooting for them and hoping that they win and that Nigeria beat Benin.

"Because even if South Africa had won, if Benin beat Nigeria, South Africa is still out."

McCarthy noted that, for once, fans from Nigeria and South Africa found themselves united online, cheering for each other as the qualifying permutations became clear.

The former Porto striker admitted he was puzzled by the recent friction that has grown between both nations.

"I don't know what is this unwanted rivalry between South Africa and Nigeria. We used to be very close. We used to be supportive.

"For me, I support everything Africa. I am South African but if I see anything African, I support. I encourage because it's my continent, I'm proud of that.

“I understand when we play against each other, when there's a rivalry on the day of the match, then your support for Africa goes out of the window.

"I support my country but after the game we embrace each other because we're Africans.”

Reflecting on matchday 10 of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, McCarthy admitted he was relieved to see the Super Eagles perform when it mattered most.

"I was pleased Nigeria taught Benin a lesson because it opened the door for us to walk through and qualify for the World Cup."

Benni McCarthy was in the Bafana Bafana squad that lost 1-0 to Nigeria in a 2010 World Cup qualifier.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel