With Bafana Bafana set to lock horns with Benin on Tuesday evening, here's a look at three dangermen the South African national team will need to keep a close eye on.
Bafana could extend their lead at the top of Group C in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with an away victory over Benin this evening.
Currently, coach Hugo Broos' side has 10 points from five matches, while their opponents sit second in the standings with eight points.
In their previous meeting in 2023 in Durban, Bafana claimed a 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Percy Tau and Khuliso Mudau, while Steve Mounié scored for Benin. As such, his inclusion as one of the players to watch is no surprise.
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Here are three players who pose a major threat to Bafana:
Steve Mounie
Benin captain Steve Mounie is undoubtedly his country's leading marksman, having scored three goals in five qualifying games so far – the most by any player in the team, according to Transfermarkt. One of those goals came in the opening match of the qualifiers against Bafana, in which South Africa secured a 2-1 win.
Mounie has an impressive 20 goals in 57 appearances for his country, making him the joint all-time top scorer for Benin, alongside retired star Stephane Sessègnon. Currently playing for FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga, Mounie will be confident of finding the net again, having recently scored against Zimbabwe.
Dodo Dokou
Versatile midfielder Dodo Dokou, who plays his club football for Smouha in Egypt, has been one of Benin's standout performers in their World Cup qualifying campaign. At just 20 years old, Dokou has featured in all five qualifying matches, playing various roles in midfield – from defensive to central and even attacking positions.
Despite primarily operating in central midfield, he has contributed two goals and one assist so far. Dokou was particularly influential in Benin's recent 2-2 draw with Zimbabwe at Moses Mabhida Stadium, playing a part in both of his team's goals.
Andréas Hountondji
Andreas Hountondji has shown great versatility in the forward line, capable of operating on both wings as well as through the middle. The forward was signed by Burnley at the start of the season, but was loaned to Standard Liege in Belgium in January 2025 until the end of the campaign.
South Africa's Lyle Foster is well acquainted with Hountondji, having trained and played alongside him at Turf Moor during the first half of the 2024/25 season. Foster may well be able to offer some valuable insight to the South African defenders on how to deal with his former teammate.
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By Lukhanyo Mtuta
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