Benin Republic head coach Gernot Rohr has expressed confidence in his team's ability to beat South Africa to the 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket.

The Cheetahs gave their qualification campaign a major boost with a 4-0 thrashing of Lesotho on Tuesday, September 9.

The commanding victory moved Rohr's side to second position in Group C with 14 points, three points adrift of leaders South Africa, with two matches left to play.

Rohr, who is Nigeria's former technical director, has called on FIFA to make a decision regarding South Africa’s potential point deduction for fielding an unqualified player against Lesotho earlier in the qualifiers.

A decision to deduct three points from Bafana Bafana would see them level on points with Benin Republic.

Speaking in a post-match interview following Benin's victory over Lesotho, Rohr said:

“If everything goes well, we’re level on points with South Africa, who should lose three points according to the regulations, because of that player who wasn’t eligible to play. So, I don’t understand why FIFA hasn’t made a decision yet, but it’s very clear.

“The Eagles’ regulations are very clear on this. At that point, we’ll be level with South Africa, and anything is still possible,” Rohr said.

WDN