Written by IYOMON ISEMUAN
Benin’s Dramatic Win Over Zimbabwe Elevates Them to Second in CAF Group C
In Abidjan, September 5, 2025, In a tense and hard fought encounter at the iconic Stade
Olympique Alassane Ouattara, Benin Republic edged past Zimbabwe 1–0 to claim a vital three
points in the 2026 World Cup African qualifiers.
The winner came late in the game, when Steve Mounié, rising to the occasion, headed home a
precise delivery from Yohan Roche in the 77th minute. The strike proved decisive in a match t
hat had otherwise been tightly contested, with Zimbabwe managing possession but failing to
find a way through Benin’s disciplined defense.
The victory thrust Benin into second place in Group C, trailing group leaders South Africa (16
pts) and edging out Nigeria (10 pts) and Rwanda (8 pts) in the standings
Benin’s campaign so far:
• Played: 7 | Wins: 3 | Draws: 2 | Losses: 2 | Points: 11
With this result, Benin reassert their ambitions for qualification either through topping the group
or securing a strong runners-up position that could lead to the interconfederation playoff path.
The group remains highly competitive:
• South Africa lead with 16 points, positioning themselves for direct qualification.
• Benin hold the crucial second spot with 11 points.
• Nigeria lurk closely behind on 10 points, meaning every upcoming fixture could
tilt the balance
Next, Benin will need to remain resolute, particularly as they face stiff tests from high-pressure
matches ahead. Their match against Zimbabwe may prove to be a turning point in a fiercely
contested race for a place in North America 2026.
Benin’s 1–0 win over Zimbabwe lifted them into 2nd place in Group C an important boost to their
World Cup qualifying hopes.
