South Africa have opened a five-point lead at the top of Group C in CAF’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers after they defeated Benin 2-0 at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Tuesday evening.

Bafana Bafana claimed the win thanks to second half goals from Lyle Foster and Jayden Adams, with the result taking them to 13 points from six matches. Elsewhere in the group, Nigeria drew 1-1 with Zimbabwe in Uyo and Rwanda were held 1-1 by Lesotho in Kigali.

Rwanda are second in the group on eight points, tied with third-placed Benin, while Nigeria (seven), Lesotho (six) and Zimbabwe (four) make up the remainder of the log.

However, the picture could change significantly, as news breaking earlier on Tuesday revealed that South Africa fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in last week’s 2-0 win over Lesotho, and are likely to be docked three points.

The first half was a frustrating affair for both teams. South Africa enjoyed more of the ball and spent more time in Benin’s half, but were unable to create clear scoring chances.

Lyle Foster had a couple of glimpses at goal, while Thalente Mbatha saw a deflected drive flash wide of goal early in proceedings.

The Cheetahs offered relatively little going the other way, though they did have the first notable effort on goal, with Junior Olaitan’s diving header forcing Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams into a decent save in the 18th minute.

South Africa claimed the lead eight minutes into the second half, with Fawaaz Basadien running into space down the left flank before playing a low cutback to find the run of Foster. The striker’s finish squeezed under goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou and trickled over the goal line via the inside of the far post.

Hugo Broos freshened up the visitors’ line-up with the introductions of Oswin Appollis and Jayden Adams through the second half, while the Cheetahs did not manage any convincing attempts at an equaliser, with both Sessi D’Almeida and Steve Mounie dragging ambitious efforts wide of the mark.

Bafana’s substitutes combined for the second goal in the 84th minute, with Appollis delivering a precise cross from a free kick, allowing Adams to score with a downward header which beat Dandjinou’s right hand to end the game as a contest.

The teams will return to World Cup Qualifying action in September, with South Africa playing Lesotho (away) and Nigeria (home), while Benin will take on Zimbabwe and Lesotho (both home).

Benin 0

South Africa (0) 2 (Foster 53’, Adams 84’)

Benin: Dandjinou, Ouorou, Roche (Kiki 74’), Imourane, Mounie (Fiogbe 86’), Moumini (Agounon 85’), Tijani, D’Almeida (Traore 75’), Hountondji (Dossou 46’), Olaitan, Dodo

SA: Williams, Mudau, Ngezana, Sibisi, Basadien, Aubaas, Mbatha, Morena, Mofokeng (Appollis 68’), Tau (Adams 76’), Foster (Rayners 90’)