AFCON 2025
South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has admitted he will be relying on Nigeria’s Super Eagles to do Bafana Bafana a huge favour by defeating Benin Republic in their final Group C match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Following a frustrating goalless draw against Zimbabwe, South Africa slipped to second place in the group standings, while Benin Republic climbed to the top with 17 points after a narrow 1–0 win over Rwanda.
🟣 "It's a good thing for us that Nigeria still have a chance and has to win against Benin 🇧🇯 in the last game" ~ @BafanaBafana head coach Hugo Broos not giving up on World Cup qualification. #FIFAWCQ2026 | @AFC_2025 pic.twitter.com/ev0oUGem8D
— Velile Mnyandu 🇿🇦 (@Velile_Mnyandu) October 11, 2025
Broos’ side now sit on 15 points, just one ahead of Nigeria, who are third with 14 points, making the final round of fixtures decisive for all three nations.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Broos expressed cautious optimism about South Africa’s qualification chances.
“It’s a good thing for us that Nigeria still have a chance and has to win against Benin in the last game,” Broos said. “Then it depends if we win with how many goals and then if Nigeria defeat Benin with how many goals.
It is still possible, and we have to win our game and we must believe in ourselves, especially if Nigeria can defeat Benin and we don’t beat Rwanda. For now, there is still hope, but we must take our chances.”
