World Cup Qualifying: Routine win for South Africa; Mounié delivers again for Benin

South Africa tightened their grip on first place in Group C with Friday’s 3-0 victory over Lesotho in Bloemfontein as 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying continued from the African region.

Mohau Nkota calmly volleyed in his first national team goal from a cross by Aubrey Modiba in the 16th minute and the rout was on for Bafana Bafana. Lesotho and goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane were able to keep the deficit at one goal by halftime but failed to trouble Moerane’s counterpart Ronwen Williams.

Burnley FC striker Lyle Foster doubled the advantage in the 63rd minute before setting up Orlando Pirates playmaker Oswin Appollis a few minutes later in the decisive victory.

Bafana Bafana kept up the pace as group leaders and remain comfortably ahead of the rest of the competition in Group C with a four-point lead. Second place Benin overcame a scrappy Zimbabwe side in the other group match from Friday played simultaneously in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Zimbabwe, relishing the role of spoiler in the group after a disastrous start left them out of the chase for World Cup qualification, did well to neutralize their hosts for long stretches but Beninese hero Steve Mounié headed in a cross from Yohan Roche in the 77th minute to secure three massive points for the Cheetahs.

On Saturday, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will host Rwanda in Uyo where only a victory will be acceptable. A win will keep Nigeria in contention but any other result will leave their World Cup hopes on life support.

Nigeria will face Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein on Tuesday for a massive duel that could keep the Super Eagles’ hopes alive of winning the group. Benin will remain in Abidjan to face Lesotho on Tuesday while Zimbabwe host Rwanda in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Group C Table

1. South Africa- 16 points (7 matches played)
2. Benin- 11 points (7 matches)
3. Rwanda- 8 points (6 matches)
4. Nigeria- 7 points (6 matches)
5. Lesotho- 6 points (7 matches)
6. Zimbabwe- 4 points (7 matches)