Bafana Bafana moved top of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying group after defeating Benin 2-1 in their opening game on Saturday afternoon.
2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier
Result: South Africa 2-1 Benin
Date: 18 November 2023
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Bafana made only two changes from their draw against Ivory Coast in an international friendly, as Percy Tau and Evidence Makgopa were brought in, with six Mamelodi Sundowns players, who recently won the African Football League in the line-up.
Hugo Broos' charges had a flying start as Tau gave them the lead within the first two minutes with a chip over goalkeeper Owolabi Allagbe after a through ball by Sphephelo Sithole.
Benin absorbed the pressure in the early stages but grew in the game and threatened from a set-piece midway through the first stanza after Jodel Dossou guided a free header in the box wide.
South Africa looked to open up the Cheetahs, who defended with numbers behind the ball, through combination play and with ten minutes left of the first stanza Tau had a chance after he dribbled through on goal at the near post but his shot was parried by Allagbe.
Bafana continued to pin back Gernot Rohr's men in their own half and Khuliso Mudau eventually doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time with a volleyed shot at the back post from a ricochet off a Benin defender.
Bafana got off to a slow start in the second stanza after Makgopa picked up an injury and was replaced by his Orlando Pirates teammate Zakhele Lepasa upfront.
However, Broos' men re-gained their attacking rhythm after the hour-mark and Themba Zwane had a glorious chance to kill off the game after he rounded Allagbe but his shot was cleared off the line.
Bafana paid the price for not burying the game, as Steve Mounie pulled a goal back for Benin 21 minutes before time with an out-stretched shot in the box after a cross by Dossou against the run of play.
With Benin looking to push for an equaliser, Broos made two tactical changes with ten minutes to go, as Sibongiseni Mthethwa replaced Zwane to protect the defence while Mihlali Mayambela came on for Bongokuhle Hlongwane to pack the midfield.
Bafana slowed down the tempo of the match in the dying and held their nerve to record a 2-1 win that moved them to the top of Group C.
Here's how they lined up:
South Africa: Williams, Mudau, Xulu, Mvala, Modiba, Mokoena, Sithole, Zwane, Hlongwane, Tau, Makgopa
Subs: Goss, Mothwa, Mobbie, Sibisi, Cross, Adams, Lepasa, Kekana, Mthethwa, Xoki, Appollis, Mokwana, Mayambela
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