Neil Tovey predicts a strong win for Nigeria over Benin! | OneFootball

Former Bafana Bafana captain gives his predictions.

Neil Tovey predicts a strong win for Nigeria over Benin!

The stage is set for a night of pure, unadulterated footballing drama in Mpumalanga. After the frustration of a goalless draw against Zimbabwe, South Africa’s World Cup destiny now hinges on 90 minutes under the lights, with the nation’s hopes balanced on a knife-edge.

Yet, amidst the palpable tension, a voice of unwavering belief echoes from the past. Neil Tovey, the legendary captain who lifted the AFCON trophy in 1996, is not just hopeful; he is defiantly confident. For him, the path to the 2026 World Cup, while narrow, is illuminated with clarity.

“Benin have absolutely no chance of beating Nigeria in Nigeria. Nothing! Not a chance in hell,” Tovey stated with the conviction of a man who has faced down pressure on the biggest stages. His message cuts through the complexity of the permutations. In his view, the equation is simple: Bafana Bafana must seize their moment against Rwanda and let the natural order of football take care of the rest.

The setback in Durban, where they couldn't break down a 10-man Zimbabwe, is now just a painful prelude. "We just didn’t get the decisive goal," Tovey concedes, "but it’s still in our hands." His advice to Hugo Broos’ squad is as straightforward as it is powerful: block out the noise from Uyo. This is not about calculators and rival scores; it is about raw desire.

“Ask the players if they want to play in the World Cup, because this is it,” Tovey implores. “They’re 90 minutes away from making history.”

And so, as two matches kick off simultaneously, an entire nation will hold its breath. A victory against Rwanda, combined with the expected Nigerian triumph, would catapult South Africa to their first World Cup in over two decades—a feat not accomplished since the 2002 tournament. It’s a dream that has been whittled down to one final, nerve-wracking, and ultimately, glorious chance.