Benin coach Gernot Rohr says his side will approach the closing rounds of World Cup qualifying with humility, despite the South Africa FIFA sanction handing his team a lifeline.
Bafana Bafana were docked three points for fielding ineligible midfielder Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho.
A ruling that leaves Benin level with South Africa on 14 points in Group C.
Rohr, however, insists the path remains steep for his side.
“We’ll approach the last two matchdays with great humility. We still have two extremely tough matches, away to Rwanda and Nigeria,” he told Foot-Africa.
The German highlighted the contrast in conditions, noting that South Africa have played most of their qualifiers at home.
“Out of their ten matches, they will have played seven in South Africa. As for us, for the past two and a half years, we haven’t played a single game in Benin. All our matches have been away,” Rohr said.
He admitted it feels like a “small miracle” that Benin are still in contention.
“It will be extremely difficult given our schedule. We’ll remain determined, of course. Maybe it’s a twist of fate. It’s up to us to make the most of it, even if it’s going to be very, very tough.”
The South Africa FIFA sanction has blown Group C wide open.
Benin face Rwanda next before a daunting final clash against Nigeria, while South Africa host Zimbabwe and Rwanda in Johannesburg.
