Benin Edges Past Zimbabwe to Keep World Cup Dreams Alive: Match Report and Analysis

Critical Victory for Benin’s World Cup Campaign

Benin secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Zimbabwe, thanks to a late goal from Steve Mounié, in an exciting match at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.

The victory was vital for Benin, who are currently third in Group C with eight points, trailing leaders South Africa by five points. Rwanda occupies second place with the same points as Benin but with a superior goal difference. The Cheetahs, who have never qualified for a World Cup, are fighting to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Match Analysis and Performance

The early stages of the match saw Benin dominating the flanks, with Zimbabwe struggling to contain their advances. While the initial period had few clear opportunities, the home team showed determination to overcome their recent poor form, which included seven matches without a win and a recent friendly defeat to Morocco.

Zimbabwe’s Struggles Continue

The Warriors, under the leadership of Michael Nees, remain at the bottom of the group standings. Their campaign has been particularly challenging, with four losses and two draws from six matches. Even a recent 3-1 victory over Mozambique in the COSAFA Cup hasn’t been enough to lift their qualifying campaign.

Looking Ahead

Despite the challenging path ahead, there’s still hope for automatic qualification as several matches remain to be played. Success in upcoming fixtures could work in Benin’s favor. While Benin continues their pursuit of a historic World Cup qualification, Zimbabwe, despite their limited prospects, remains committed to competing in every match.