ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast — South Africa coach, Hugo Broos, don make am clear say im players no get any guarantee say dem go start as dem prepare for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against Benin on Tuesday. The match go happen for Abidjan as South Africa dey lead Group C, with Benin dey follow closely behind dem.
Broos, wey sabi football well well, talk say, “No one is guaranteed a regular starting place. We are a family of 23, not 11.” Dis na serious reminder for players as dem go face Benin, wey don dey perform well for the group. The coach also mention say two young players, Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams, wey score for South Africa 2-0 win over Lesotho on Friday, fit not start the upcoming match. “Lesotho were the right opponents for them to start, but maybe not Benin,” Broos talk.
Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea dey try to reverse FIFA decision to change their 1-0 victories over Namibia and Liberia to 3-0 losses because of the eligibility situation of Emilio Nsue. FIFA don rule say Nsue no dey eligible because e born for Spain, but dem dey argue say anyone wey born to Equatoguinean parent automatically don become citizen. If dem succeed for their appeal, dem go rise from fifth to second for Group H.
In Group E, shaking dey ground as Eritrea don withdraw and Congo Brazzaville dey suspended over government wahala. Should Congo drop out, the group go shrink, leaving Morocco and other teams running mini-leagues, as Morocco wey don reach World Cup semi-final before leads the group.
Broos believe say Benin playing for home ground for Côte d’Ivoire fit give South Africa small advantage. E talk say South African players don dey struggle against powerful teams like Benin during road matches in the past.
South Africa go need more from Lyle Foster wey dey play for Burnley, after im performance against Lesotho no too impress. Benin go rely on Steve Mounie, wey don shine for dem, to lead their attack.
Group A clash between Egypt and Sierra Leone go be big test for new Leone Stars coach, Mohamed Kallon. After e lead dem to a 3-1 victory over Guinea-Bissau last week, im go face strong opposition in Egypt, especially as e need plan to contain Mohamed Salah, who don start the qualification strong by scoring one and assisting another goal in Egypt’s 2-0 win over Ethiopia.
Cameroon football legend, Samuel Eto'o, wey just recover from a six-month FIFA ban, go dey live at the Group D qualifier. Cameroon coach Marc Brys don lament about their 0-0 draw against Eswatini, calling for more focus from im team.
Meanwhile, for Group F, Kenya dey prepare for must-win clash against Gabon. Coach Benni McCarthy don express confidence say dem fit surprise everybody by qualifying for the World Cup, even though dem dey seven points behind leaders Ivory Coast.
Madagascar coach, Corentin Martins, dey set aim for stardom too, after dem win Central African Republic 4-1 last week. If dem win against Ghana, dem go top Group I table, as Ghana wey dey miss 2025 Africa Cup of Nations don recently beat Chad 5-0.
South Africa national team don appreciate the support from their fans as dem prepare for the trip to Côte d’Ivoire, posting on X, “As we prepare to depart for Côte d’Ivoire, we would like to say Thank You Polokwane, Thank You Limpopo and Thank You South Africa for the incredible support!”
