Benin vs Zimbabwe, 2026 World Cup Qualifying - CAF, Group Stage
· FIFA World Cup Qualifying - CAFAbout
Match Timeline
- 0': Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
- 0': First Half begins.
- 18': Divine Lunga (Zimbabwe) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 45': Fourth official has announced 1 minutes of added time.
- 45'+3': First Half ends, Benin 0, Zimbabwe 0.
- 45': Second Half begins Benin 0, Zimbabwe 0.
- 54': Substitution, Benin. Razack Rachidou replaces Andréas Hountondji.
- 64': Teenage Hadebe (Zimbabwe) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 72': Substitution, Benin. Jodel Dossou replaces Rodolfo Aloko.
- 72': Substitution, Benin. Samadou Attidjikou replaces Sessi D'Almeida.
- 74': Marvelous Nakamba (Zimbabwe) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 77': Goal! Benin 1, Zimbabwe 0. Steve Mounié (Benin) header from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Yohan Roche.
- 82': Substitution, Benin. Rodrigue Kossi replaces Junior Olaïtan.
- 83': Substitution, Zimbabwe. Tymon Machope replaces Tawanda Maswanhise.
- 84': Substitution, Zimbabwe. Bill Antonio replaces Tawanda Chirewa.
- 84': Substitution, Zimbabwe. Terrence Dzvukamanja replaces Emmanuel Jalai.
- 88': Substitution, Zimbabwe. Walter Musona replaces Tino Kadewere.
- 90': Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time.
- 90'+5': Jodel Dossou (Benin) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 90'+5': Rodrigue Kossi (Benin) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 90'+6': Second Half ends, Benin 1, Zimbabwe 0.
- 0': Match ends, Benin 1, Zimbabwe 0.
Game Information
Venue: Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara
Location: Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Attendance: 457
WCQ - CAF Table
| # | TEAM | GP | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 10 | +6 | 18 |
| 2 | Nigeria | 10 | +7 | 17 |
| 3 | Benin | 10 | +1 | 17 |
| 4 | Lesotho | 10 | -3 | 12 |
Line-Ups
Benin (4-3-3)
| No. | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Marcel Dandjinou (GK) |
| 13 | Mohamed Tijani |
| 6 | Olivier Verdon |
| 5 | Yohan Roche |
| 11 | Rachid Moumini |
| 15 | Sessi D'Almeida |
| 18 | Junior Olaitan |
| 8 | Hassane Imourane |
| 9 | Steve Mounié |
| 17 | Andreas Hountondji |
| 22 | Rodolfo Aloko |
Zimbabwe (4-3-3)
| No. | Name |
|---|---|
| 22 | Washington Arubi (GK) |
| 15 | Teenage Hadebe  |
| 4 | Munashe Garananga |
| 5 | Divine Lunga |
| 23 | Emmanuel Jalai |
| 17 | Knowledge Musona |
| 3 | Jordan Zemura |
| 18 | Marvelous Nakamba |
| 20 | Tawanda Chirewa |
| 11 | Tino Kadewere |
| 19 | Tawanda Maswanhise |
WCQ - CAF News
Adidas has released a huge batch of home kits for 22 countries, many of whom have either qualified or still hope to qualify for the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
Africa's World Cup qualifying campaign has seen nine teams secure their places at next year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. However, for four CAF teams, including Nigeria, there's still a glimmer of hope.
Nigeria will not be going ahead with planned friendlies against Venezuela and Colombia in the USA next month, after the Super Eagles qualified for the World Cup playoffs which take place in Morocco at the same time.
Spain still topped the FIFA men's world rankings, with Germany back on track to be a top-seeded team in the World Cup finals draw on Dec. 5.
Victor Osimhen plundered a hat trick and substitute Frank Onyeka scored a pile driver as Nigeria routed Benin in Uyo, to keep their FIFA World Cup qualifying hopes alive.