South Africa secured a 2-0 victory over Benin on Tuesday, extending their lead in the African 2026 World Cup qualifying Group C to five points. However, their advantage could be at risk due to a player eligibility controversy.
Midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who played in South Africa’s 2-1 win over Lesotho four days earlier, should have been suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards. A South African Football Association (SAFA) official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that Mokoena was booked in matchday one against Benin in 2023 and again in matchday four against Zimbabwe last year, which should have triggered a one-match ban.
"The team management was guilty of incompetence ahead of the Lesotho match. Mokoena should not have played," the official admitted. However, FIFA rules state that protests must be lodged within 24 hours of a match’s conclusion. Lesotho Football Association secretary-general Mokhosi Mohapi confirmed that an inquiry had been sent to FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), though he did not specify when.
South Africa’s Victory Over Benin
Despite the controversy, South Africa sidelined Mokoena for the clash against Benin and secured a convincing win. Lyle Foster opened the scoring in the 53rd minute after a Fawaaz Basadien cross, while substitute Jayden Adams sealed the victory with a header from an Oswin Appollis free-kick in the 84th minute.
The win brought South Africa to 13 points in the standings, bolstering their hopes of qualifying for their first World Cup since hosting the tournament in 2010.
Nigeria Held as Group C Race Tightens
Elsewhere in Group C, Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw by Zimbabwe in Uyo. Victor Osimhen gave Nigeria the lead in the 74th minute, but Tawanda Chirewa struck in added time to salvage a point for Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, Rwanda and Lesotho played to a 1-1 draw in Kigali, keeping the group standings tight.
If Lesotho’s appeal over Mokoena’s eligibility is upheld, they could move to nine points, reducing South Africa’s tally to 10, with four matches remaining in the qualification campaign.
Other African Qualifiers: Cape Verde, Cameroon, and Egypt Secure Wins
In Group D, Cape Verde pulled off a surprise 2-1 away victory over previously unbeaten Angola, with Verona forward Dailon Livramento scoring twice. Cameroon remained one point behind after a 3-1 win over Libya, led by captain Vincent Aboubakar’s brace.
Morocco, 2022 World Cup semi-finalists, inched closer to qualification with a 2-0 victory over Tanzania in Group E, needing just four points from their remaining matches to secure their spot. Meanwhile, Egypt extended their lead in Group A with a narrow 1-0 win over Sierra Leone, courtesy of a first-half goal from Zizo.
Sudan, however, suffered a setback in Group B, conceding in the 99th minute against South Sudan in a 1-1 draw, causing them to slip to third behind DR Congo and Senegal.
With the qualifiers heating up, the fate of South Africa’s points tally now lies in FIFA’s hands as the team continues its quest for a World Cup return.