By:T’soloane Mohlomi
The Lesotho national football men’s team Likuena drew 0:0 with Benin while Rwanda stunned Bafana Bafana in a Group C 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier at the Stade Huye stadium in Butare, Rwanda yesterday.
The results saw Likuena rooted at fourth place in Group C with only two points to their name while South Africa retains second position on the standings with 3 points just above the Super Eagles of Nigeria at third place who drew their last two encounters with Lesotho and Zimbabwe respectfully and have two points to their name.
Benin remain on the last position on the standings with only one point to their name after this draw with Likuena.
The game took place at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban South Africa as the national team is still playing their home games in the neighbouring country due to the unsatisfactory state of the Setsoto Stadium in Maseru.
Leslie Notsi’s charges displayed a brave performance as they looked to urge Benin in the background of their beaming performance in Uyo in Nigeria a fortnight ago but Les Guepards held them to the full ninety minutes with 7 additional minutes being added on.
Lesotho will now look to play the Warriors of Zimbabwe on the 24th of June next year, but with draws with the likes of Nigeria they will undoubtedly be looking forward to playing with neighbours South Africa in their closing matches of the group.
South Africa on the other hand were thrashed by Rwanda in East Africa in an upset and unlikely outcome with Rwanda ranked 140 in the latest FIFA rankings which is several places below South Africa who are ranked 62nd in the latest World FIFA rankings and 12 on the African Continent.
South Africa however dominated possession with a total of 513 completed passes to 307 of Rwanda, they also held the bulk of the possession retaining a 63% to 37% of Rwanda. With a total of 5 shots on target Bafana Bafana only managed two shots to seven shots of Rwanda who were successfull in converting shots in to goals.
South Africa will now have to pick up the pieces and look forward to their next match against Mali which will be in next years Africa Cup of Nations Finals.