The three points on offer for Bafana Bafana on Saturday in the opening World Cup qualifying match for Hugo Broos' men will carry even more worth after a fortunate run of results earlier in the week.
Bafana just need a win to move top of the standings after the other two matches in the group ended in draws including Nigeria's surprise draw at home to Lesotho.
READ | Percy Tau, Appollis headline latest Bafana squad
Likuena (ranked 153) taking points away against The Super Eagles on Thursday wasn't expected by any bookmaker but is now the kind of result that has titled the group in Bafana's favour.
The mountainous kingdom stood their ground in Uyo and even took the lead through Motlomelo Mkhwanazi before the hosts then equalised courtesy of West Bromwich Albion defender Semi Agayi.
On Wednesday, Rwanda held on to a goalless draw against Zimbabwe.
This means if Bafana win against Benin at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, they will shoot top of the group and have the advantage before facing Rwanda in Butare on Tuesday.
"You need to focus in every game and have good mentality to avoid the problems that we had against Eswatini and Namibia," says Broos.
"I'm confident that we can have two victories, but we will have to fight for it," says Broos.
Bafana last played at the World Cup finals as hosts in 2010 with their most recent successful qualification campaign having been in 2002.
Attempts to make through to Germany 2006, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, and Qatar 2022 were all in vain.
Meanwhile, Benin have already been in the country since early in the week with head coach Gernot Rohr travelling with the five local based players.
The West Africans will remain in Durban for another match against Lesotho on Tuesday as Maseru Stadium doesn't meet the CAF standards.
READ | Johnson's troubles worsen at limping Chiefs
Match officials
Referee: ISMAIL Mahmood Ali Mahmood, (Sudan)
Assistant 1: MOHAMED ABDALLAH Ibrahim, (Sudan)
Assistant 2: AHMED Elmoiz Ali Mohamed (Sudan)
Fourth referee: ALAMIN MOHAMED Alamin Alhadi, (Sudan)
Referee Assessor: RAMPHUL Raj, (Mauritius)
Commissioner of the Match: DLAMINI Zide Gilbert, (Eswatini)
You must be Sign In to read and post comments.
Click HERE to register!