Benin v South Africa

Benin v South Africa

Payment boycott threatens Nigeria's crucial FIFA World Cup playoff against Gabon

Nigeria players call off boycott, resume training, after discussions with NFF

Africa's World Cup playoffs - Will Nigeria and Cameroon's off-field dramas scupper their chances?

Payment boycott threatens Nigeria's crucial FIFA World Cup playoff against Gabon

Nigeria players call off boycott, resume training, after discussions with NFF

Africa's World Cup playoffs - Will Nigeria and Cameroon's off-field dramas scupper their chances?

Game Information

FIFA World Cup Qualifying - CAF Standings

WCQ - CAF News

2026 World Cup Qualifying - CAF, Group Stage

BeninBeninBEN

2-2-2, 8 PTS

South AfricaSouth AfricaRSA

4-1-1, 13 PTS

Lyle Foster - 53'

Jayden Adams - 84'

1
Dandjinou
3
Ouorou
13
Tijani
5
Roche
11
Moumini
8
Imourane
15
D'Almeida
17
Hountondji
19
Dokou
18
Olaitan
9
Mounié

No.Name
1Marcel Dandjinou
13Mohamed Tijani
5Yohan Roche 12David Kiki
3Tamimou Ouorou
11Rachid Moumini 2Brandon Agounon
19Dodo Dokou
8Hassane Imourane
15Sessi D'Almeida 21Steve Traoré
9Steve Mounié 10Candas Fiogbe
17Andreas Hountondji 20Jodel Dossou
18Junior Olaitan

Substitutes
16Saturnin Allagbé
6Gislain Ahoudo
23Serge Obassa
14Mariano Ahouangbo
4Moïse Adilehou
7Matteo Ahlinvi
22Samadou Attidjikou

1
Williams
3
Basadien
19
Sibisi
21
Ngezana
20
Mudau
15
Aubaas
5
Mbatha
11
Ratomo
10
Tau
23
Morena
9
Foster

No.Name
1Ronwen Williams
19Nkosinathi Sibisi
21Siyabonga Ngezana
3Fawaaz Basadien
20Khuliso Mudau
10Percy Tau 8Jayden Adams
15Bathusi Jurry Aubaas
5Thalente Mbatha
9Lyle Foster 13Iqraam Rayners
11Relebohile Ratomo 7Oswin Appollis
23Thapelo Morena

Substitutes
14Thabo Moloisane
17Elias Mokwana
18Grant Kekana
12Ndamulelo Maphangule
22Ricardo Goss
6Vuyo Letlapa
16Sipho Chaine
2Nyiko Mobbie

Felix Houphouet-Boigny

12:00 PM, March 25, 2025Coverage: ESPN+

Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Attendance: 786

Referees:
Beida Damane

Just two days before their important 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoff semi-final game against Gabon, the full Nigeria squad, including officials, decided to boycott training in Morocco because of unresolved money issues.

Nigeria's preparation for Thursday's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off semifinal against Gabon got back on track after the standoff between players and the NFF over unpaid bonuses was called off.

Ahead of this week's African qualifying playoffs -- as Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo look to keep their World Cup hopes alive -- here's ESPN's bumper preview, with predictions.

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South Africa