Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos admits Benin were difficult to play against but was pleased that his side walked away with a positive result in their opening 2026 World Cup qualifier.

South Africa moved to the top of the Group C standings following their 2-1 victory over Benin at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

The South African national team kick started their World Cup qualifiers with a win over Benin which saw them moved to the top of the Group C standings with three points thanks to goals from Percy Tau and Khuliso Mudau, who cancelled out Steve Mounie 69th minute goal.

Broos felt Benin had the height advantage over his side but felt Bafana did well to deal with the likes of Mounie to get his side over the line for their first win in the qualifiers.

“Sure I’m happy, it was not an easy game,” Broos told SABC1.

“But I said already don’t underestimate the opponent, they play a simple game – kick in front and then fighting for the ball.

“We had some problems in the second half and with the goal they scored there was a little panic in the group but ok, the most important thing for qualifiers is to win the games and we did.”

He added: “Against the game that Benin played it’s very difficult, you also need guys of 1.90m height, we don’t have them,” he added.

“They kicked always the ball to that long player, and then with the header and then the second ball and this is difficult to defend.

“But ok, they only had that one chance and it was a goal. At the other side we had two little chances to score the third goal, then the game would’ve been finished.

“But the goal from Benin it was to the end suspense.”

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