The head coach of one of Bafana Bafana's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying rivals has insisted that Hugo Broos' side is the best team in their group.
Benin manager Gernot Rohr masterminded a shock 2-1 victory over his former side Nigeria when the two sides squared off in a World Cup qualifier earlier this month.
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He was, however, unable to do the same when his team took on South Africa in a Group C encounter all the way back in November last year, suffering a 2-1 defeat.
With Benin currently third on the table, behind Broos' charges in second place and Rwanda at the top, Rohr has now described the Cheetahs' chances of appearing at the finals set to be hosted in United States, Mexico, and Canada as "little".
The 71-year-old also pegged Bafana to be favourites, and said that the Super Eagles, despite accumulating just three points from four matches thus far, are still in with a shout of going to the global showpiece that will be held in Canada, Mexico and the US.
"South Africa are number one, we have to be realistic," Rohr said in an interview with Nigerian website Punch.
"Number two can still be Nigeria if they all come together in good spirit with all the players highly motivated.
"They have to beat Lesotho, they can beat Rwanda, they can beat Zimbabwe, they should beat all these teams. And at home, they can beat Benin, but I think we also can beat Nigeria again.
"So, if they win these four matches, you know, its 12 points. And if they beat South Africa, I think they can still do it. But they have to beat South Africa in South Africa, which will not be easy.
"And so, for me, Benin also has a little chance."
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