…Beats Lesotho 3-0 at Bloemfontein in South Africa.
The Bafana Bafana male football team of South Africa on Friday dimmed the hope of the Super Eagles of Nigeria to qualify for the world Cup in the Americas next year as the team posted a superlative 3-0 win over Lesotho at the 46,000 capacity Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein in South Africa.
Saudi based Pro, Mohau Nkota got an assist in the 15th minute to register the 1st goal for South Africa. Lyle Foster who plays for Burnley of Britain scored the 2nd goal through a goal mouth scramble in the 63rd minute while Foster before he was substituted gave an assist to Oswin Appollis of Orlando Pirates in the 67th minute.
Football pundits are criticizing FIFA and the Confederation of African Football CAF headed by a South African for putting South African neighbors, together in the same group and allowing Lesotho to play all her group matches in South Africa like Zimbabwe that is also in the same group. That according to the critics gives greater advantage to South Africa who played Lesotho with great crowd influence.
The criticism notwithstanding, both FIFA and CAF have failed to react to the public request by Benin Republic team Head Coach for both bodies to deduct three points from South Africa for fielding and illegitimate player who should be on suspension according to the statutes of world football rules. The Coach argued that the deliberate act of both FIFA and CAF will give a psychological advantage to South Africa.
Playing in their territory against Lesotho who showed frustration in the game through rough play that delayed the game, South Africa shot ahead with 8 points now.
The Mandela boys were playing the Lesotho team for the 6th time winning three times now, losing twice and having a drawn game. The last time they met was in the world cup qualifier at the same venue on 21st March 2025 with South Africa playing home with a 2-0 win.
In the same group C qualifier series played today at the Alassane Quattara Stadium, Abidjan Star boy Steve Mounie of Benin Republic scored a lone goal from a Roche pass that sank visiting Zimbabwe in the 77th minute.
Tomorrow Saturday, Nigeria plays Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo at 5pm.
Day 8 matches in the group will be played on Tuesday 9th September when South Africa will host Nigeria at the Free State Stadium, Bloemfintein in South Africa where they played an away game today ; Zimbabwe will face Rwanda while Benin Republic will stay back in Abidjan to host Lesotho.
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Right now, South Africa tops group C with 16 points from 7 matches scoring 13 goals and conceding 5; Benin maintains 2nd position with 11 points scorin7 goals and conceding 7; Rwanda is 3rd with 8 points scoring 4 goals and conceding 4; Nigeria is 4th with 7 points scoring 7 goals and conceding 6; Lesotho is 5th with 6 points scoring 4 goals and conceding 8 while Zimbabwe is 6th with 4 points scoring 5 goals and conceding 10.
It is important to inform you that only the group winner will get automatic ticket to the world cup finals to be hosted in 2026 by USA, Canada and Mexico. The group runners up will have a chance to compete in a play off in an inter conference battle.
Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line.
#FIFA #CAF #NFF
#RFF #SAFF #BFA.
