'We are in a good position,' says Broos as Bafana a step closer to qualifying for 2026 World Cup

JOHANNESBURG - Bafana Bafana took a step closer to qualifying for their first FIFA World Cup since 2010 by beating Benin 2-0 in a qualifier in Abidjan on Tuesday night.

Forward Lyle Foster broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute when he got on the end of a Fawaz Basadien cross and tapped in from close range. Substitute midfielder Jayden Adams put the result beyond doubt when he headed in from an Oswin Appollis free kick in the 84th minute.

"I said on the bench, if we score once, we will win the game. Benin was not capable to do something except the little chance they had in the first half. Apart from that, we dominated the game, and we deserved to win," said coach Hugo Broos.

The result sees Bafana extend their advantage at the top of Group C to 5 points with 4 matches left to play. Only the group winners will qualify for next year’s tournament which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

South Africa’s hopes of qualifying were also lifted by their closest rivals dropping points. Zimbabwe held Nigeria to a 1-1 draw after Tawanda Chirewa scored in the 90th minute to cancel out Victor Osimhen’s opening goal. Rwanda also drew 1-1 with Lesotho.

As it stands, Bafana’s fate is in their own hands and they don’t have to rely on other teams to do them favours. However, there may be a different sort of problem on the horizon as they face a possible points deduction. This comes after the revelation that midfielder Teboho Mokoena was ineligible to play in Friday's win against Lesotho after picking up two yellow cards in previous World Cup qualifying games in this campaign.

Mokoena was not in the squad for the game against Benin and should have served a suspension in that fixture in Polokwane, however, due to an oversight from team management, that was not the case.

Lesotho’s Football Association did not submit an official complaint within FIFA's stipulated 24-hour period after the match, which could be Bafana's saving grace.

Bafana’s next World Cup qualifiers are in September when they play Lesotho and Nigeria. Two wins will leave them on the brink of qualification for the global showpiece. Broos has urged his team to carry out their mission.

"We have to be confident and not be afraid anymore of anyone else that plays against us. The only thing we have to do now is work hard, not thinking that everything is already done. We are in a good position but I think with the group that we have and if we don’t do stupid things, we’re very close to qualification for the World Cup," said Broos.