Benin squandered a two-goal lead in their 2-2 draw away to Zimbabwe but remain in the hunt for World Cup qualification as they prepare for a crucial clash with Group C leaders South Africa.
Steve Mounié (12′) and Dodo Dokou (35′) gave Benin a strong first-half advantage, but Zimbabwe fought back with goals from Marshall Munetsi (44′) and Knowledge Musona (59′) to secure the draw.
Benin’s head coach, Gernot Rohr, has acknowledged that playing their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa at a neutral venue puts his side at a distinct disadvantage.
The two teams will meet in a top-of-the-table showdown in Group C at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan, as Benin is unable to host the match at a FIFA-approved venue in their own country.
After a convincing 2-0 win over Lesotho in Polokwane on Friday, Broos’ chargers enter the pitch in top spot in Group C. Benin’s draw against the Mighty Warrios left them second in the group with eight points, just two behind leaders Bafana Bafana.
In an interview with iDiski Times, Rohr expressed his frustration at not being able to play in front of home supporters, particularly against a team like South Africa, who finished third in the most recent Africa Cup of Nations.
“We spent a lot of time, of course, to scout and to analyse not only our own players, but also the opposition, like everybody has to do today video and other analysis” Rohr told iDiski Times.
“But even if you do that, the fact that we have to play in Abidjan and not in Cotonou is a disadvantage for us. You don’t have the supporters in a home game, especially against South Africa, and the stadium would be full. South Africa is the bronze medal winner of the last AFCON”
The match is set to kick off at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Côte d’Ivoire at 18:00 (SAST) on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.