Online Reporter
Sports Reporter
SOUTH Africa’s Bafana Bafana are now overwhelming favourites to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup following a 2-0 victory over Benin in a Group C match at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire last night.
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.
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 yesterday revealed that Bafana Bafana fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in last week’s 2-0 win over Lesotho, and are likely to be docked three points.
With that in mind, Bafana Bafana fans were rooting for Zimbabwe’s Warriors to avoid defeat away to pre-qualifiers favourites, Nigeria who would benefit from any points deduction on South Africa.
And when super substitute Tawanda Chirewa snatched a 90th minute equaliser, South Africans took to social media to salute the Warriors for snatching a point from Nigeria and keep Bafana Bafana’s hopes alive.
Below are some of the comments on X:
Love thy neighbour!
We effing love you today Zimbabwe! Nigeria 1-1 Zimbabwe − Sahil Ebrahim
Our neighbours, Zimbabwe and Lesotho are working overtime for us. What a time to be alive − @malekatokel
Our neighbours Zimbabwe just scored to make it 1-1 against Nigeria. Quickly like and retweet to thank them South Africa − PovertykillerB
This is how I’m watching Bafana Bafana. We are winning and Nigeria is held to a draw by Zimbabwe. Let’s laugh at Nigeria − AnthuBantu
A big thank you to our Zimbabwean brothers for taking two vital points from Nigeria.
#WorldCupQualifiers Bafana Bafana − 1ndile_madondo
The only Nigerians who will get to USA for 2026 World Cup are the ones who will be going to scam us who will be going to support our national teams like South Africa. Make this tweet reach Nigeria. Do not say much just like and retweet then laugh − PovertykillerB
Zimbabwe, we giving a 1 day free pass at the border for what you’re doing with Nigeria − @kwets11
Zimbabwe holding Nigeria be like “ you are not going anywhere.. world Cup is my foot”
Bafana bafana ngezana tebza Mofokeng − @SA_IndustryBaby
