Bafana Bafana cemented top spot in Group C after defeating Benin 2-0 in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying action on Tuesday evening.
2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Result: Benin 0-2 South Africa
Date: 25 April 2025
Venue: Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny
Bafana were rocked by some big reports hours before the clash claiming the team could face the possibility of losing three points from the match against Lesotho if Teboho Mokoena was deemed to have been ineligible after being on two yellow cards.
Mokoena, however, was left out of the squad for the clash against Benin, which coach Hugo Broos had already hinted shortly after Friday's win, as while Percy Tau maintained his spot and brought up his 50th cap.
It was an evenly contested affair in the early stages but the game's first chance arrived on 17 minutes when a long-ball over the top released Andreas Hountondji, who saw his header saved by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Bafana did manage to gain control of the contest as the first half went and found themselves in some promising positions, but they were let down by the final ball into the box on a few occasions.
However, Bafana took the lead eight minutes after the halftime break when Fawaaz Basadien raced clear down the left flank before picking out Lyle Foster, who flicked the ball home at the near post.
Broos opted for his first change after 66 minutes as the young Relebohile Mofokeng saw his evening come to an end, with Oswin Appollis brought on for the final 25 minutes of the second half.
Benin, meanwhile, made a late push to get themselves back on level terms but Bafana went on to grab a second goal in the 84th minute as substitute Jayden Adams nodded home a cross from Appollis to seal the win.
The South Africans now sit top of the Group with 13 points, five points ahead of Rwanda and six ahead of Nigeria.
Here's how they lined up:
South Africa: Williams, Mudau, Ngezana, Sibisi, Basadien, Aubaas, Mbatha, Morena, Tau, Mofokeng, Foster
Subs: Chaine, Goss, Mobbie, Letlapa, Appollis, Adams, Maphangule, Rayners, Moloisane, Mokwana, Kekana
