2026 World Cup qualifier: Benin eye crucial victory over Lesotho

Benin face Lesotho on Tuesday in Abidjan in a pivotal 2026 World Cup qualifying clash that could strengthen their grip on second place in Group C.

The Cheetahs come into the encounter buoyed by last Thursday’s 1-0 win against Zimbabwe, a result that has kept their qualification hopes very much alive.

A further three points against Lesotho would take Gernot Rohr’s side to 14 points and put them within touching distance of a potential first-ever World Cup appearance.

But despite the confidence in the Benin camp, caution remains the prevailing message.

Charles Titigoueti, president of the Atlantic Departmental League of Benin, warned that the Crocodiles are not opponents to be taken lightly.

The Benin-Lesotho match may seem like an easy one on paper, but it’s a trap match par excellence because they’re a team that traditionally poses a lot of problems for Benin, he said. Even under coach Michel Dussuyer, we beat them 1-0. But in the return leg, we made a mistake and drew with them. They’re very physical. They play a style of football similar to South Africa’s. All the players play together, some of them in South Africa. They’re a very homogeneous team that Benin often struggles to beat. So it’s the ultimate trap match, and we must avoid that trap.

The Group C standings underline just how significant this fixture could be.

South Africa lead with 16 points, followed by Benin on 11, Nigeria with 10, Rwanda on 8, Lesotho with 6, and Zimbabwe bottom on 4 after seven rounds.

With only three matches remaining after Tuesday, the race for qualification is reaching its decisive phase.

Benin are currently unbeaten in three outings, with two victories and one draw.

However, anything less than victory against Lesotho risks allowing rivals Nigeria or Rwanda to close the gap, piling pressure ahead of the Cheetahs’ demanding run-in against Nigeria at home, and then South Africa and Rwanda away.

Titigoueti emphasised the need for focus: If we want to continue with serenity, we have to play this Lesotho match as a match on the verge of a final because after that there will be no more meetings with them for these qualifiers. So we absolutely have to beat them. To beat them, we have to close ranks, not sleep, not think that we won against Zimbabwe. We absolutely have to take them seriously to beat them and see the rest of these qualifiers while hoping for a slip-up from South Africa.

Supporters are equally optimistic, with fan Léandre Houessou predicting a strong performance from Rohr’s men. The probable score: Benin 2-0 Lesotho. A clean sheet for Marcel Dandjinou.

I see the Cheetahs winning and climbing to 14 points, strengthening their chances of qualifying directly or making the play-offs, he said.

The fixture between Benin and Lesotho kicks off on Tuesday, 9 September, at 19:00 GMT.