Benin closed the gap on South Africa in Group C of the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 4-0 win over Lesotho in Abidjan on Tuesday, Afrosport reports.
The Cheetahs had beaten Zimbabwe 1-0 in their last match and knew they would edge clear of neighbours Nigeria who drew 1-1 with Bafana Bafana earlier on Tuesday.
Gernot Rohr’s men wasted no time in exerting their dominance against Lesotho with Steve Mounie opening proceedings after six minutes.
The Augsburg forward turned provider for Andres Hountondji in the 23rd minute while Junior Olaitan assisted Hassane Imourane for the third goal 10 minutes later.
Olaitan put the final nail in coffin in the 67th minute to help Benin maintain second place. They are now three points clear of third-placed Nigeria and three points behind leaders South Africa.
They will conclude their qualifying campaign with away trips to Rwanda and Nigeria next month.
Benin say it’s not over until it’s over. 💪🇧🇯 #WCQ pic.twitter.com/iQaYH1nWt8
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) September 9, 2025
In other results on Tuesday night, Angola defeated Mauritius 3-1 in Group D while Mauritania and South Sudan played out a goalless draw in Nouadhibou in Group B.
In Group F, nothing separated Ivory Coast and Gabon in the top of the table clash in Franceville that ended goalless while The Gambia edged Burundi 2-0 in Nairobi.
