South Africa secured an important 2-0 victory over Benin in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, extending their lead at the top of Group C. However, their qualification hopes could be derailed due to a possible points deduction after fielding an ineligible player in their previous match against Lesotho. Meanwhile, Nigeria dropped points after a last-gasp equalizer from Zimbabwe denied them a crucial win.
South Africa Claim Comfortable Win Over Benin
Heading into the match against Benin, South Africa were aware of the controversy surrounding midfielder Teboho Mokoena. The player had picked up two yellow cards earlier in the campaign, meaning he should have been suspended for their clash against Lesotho. However, the South African management failed to notice this, and he played in their 2-0 win last week.
Despite this looming issue, South Africa delivered a commanding performance against Benin. They dominated possession from the start but found it difficult to break down a stubborn Benin defense. The deadlock was finally broken in the 53rd minute when Fawaaz Basadien delivered a pinpoint cross, allowing Burnley striker Lyle Foster to convert from close range.
The result was sealed in the 84th minute when substitute Oswin Appollis delivered a dangerous free-kick, which fellow substitute Jayden Adams headed into the net to secure all three points.
The second goal from Adams!! pic.twitter.com/c5nOkIjEWW
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) March 25, 2025
With this victory, South Africa now sit on 13 points, five ahead of their closest rivals. However, their position could be under threat if FIFA decides to punish them for the Mokoena incident.
Possible Points Deduction Looms Over South Africa
Following the revelation that Mokoena should have been suspended, the Lesotho Football Association has reportedly submitted a formal inquiry to FIFA and CAF regarding his ineligibility.
While FIFA’s disciplinary code states that official protests must be filed within 24 hours of a match ending, it is unclear when Lesotho submitted their inquiry. If FIFA rules in Lesotho’s favor, South Africa could have their three points against Lesotho deducted and awarded to their opponents. This would drop South Africa’s tally to 10 points, potentially opening up the group.
Lesotho, currently on six points, could be bumped up to nine, putting them just one point behind the current leaders. The final decision from FIFA will be critical in shaping the race for qualification in Group C.
Nigeria Frustrated as Zimbabwe Snatch Late Equalizer
Elsewhere in Group C, Nigeria suffered a major setback in their qualification campaign after being held to a 1-1 draw by Zimbabwe.
The Super Eagles, who had been riding high after a strong victory over Rwanda last week, looked set for another three points when Victor Osimhen broke the deadlock in the 74th minute. The Napoli striker, who scored twice in the previous match, once again proved his value by slotting the ball past the goalkeeper.
However, Zimbabwe refused to give up and found a dramatic added-time equalizer through Tawanda Chirewa. The late goal stunned the home crowd in Uyo, denying Nigeria a crucial victory.
With this result, Nigeria now sits on seven points, falling behind Rwanda and Benin, who both have eight points. The draw puts added pressure on the Super Eagles, who were initially among the favorites to qualify.
Other Notable Results in African World Cup Qualifiers
Group C also saw Rwanda and Lesotho battle to a 1-1 draw in Kigali. Jojea Kwizera opened the scoring for Rwanda just before the hour mark, but Lehlohonolo Fothoane equalized late to ensure both teams shared the spoils.
In Group D, surprise leaders Cape Verde continued their impressive run with a 2-1 away victory over Angola. Verona forward Dailon Livramento was the hero, scoring both goals to keep Cape Verde at the top of the standings.
Cameroon, however, remain just one point behind after a 3-1 victory over Libya in Yaoundé. Captain Vincent Aboubakar led by example, netting a brace to ensure his side stayed in the race for qualification.
Vincent Aboubakar: ⚽️⚽️
Bryan Mbeumo: ⚽️️Cameroon’s deadly duo brought their A game against Libya today. #WCQ pic.twitter.com/iu4OceLOWv
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) March 25, 2025
Egypt strengthened their hold on Group A by edging past Sierra Leone 1-0 in Cairo. Zizo scored the lone goal just before halftime to extend Egypt’s lead to five points over Burkina Faso.
Meanwhile, in Group B, Sudan suffered a heartbreaking result as they conceded in the 99th minute against South Sudan to settle for a 1-1 draw. Due to the ongoing civil war, the match was played in Benghazi, Libya.
How the Group C Table Looks After the Latest Matches
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 13 |
| 2 | Rwanda | 8 |
| 3 | Benin | 8 |
| 4 | Nigeria | 7 |
| 5 | Lesotho | 6 |
| 6 | Zimbabwe | 4 |
However, if FIFA rules against South Africa, the table could change significantly.
With four matches remaining, the race for qualification remains wide open, and every point will be crucial in determining which team earns a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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