Benin vs Lesotho: Why the World Cup Qualifier Was Delayed! ⚽🇿🇦

By: María Fernández Published On: 09/09/2025

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Football fans across Africa were left waiting on Tuesday as the World Cup qualifier between Benin and Lesotho faced an unexpected delay. Originally scheduled to kick off at 19:00 GMT, the match was pushed back due to a major lighting issue at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan.

What Happened?

Reports indicate that a significant portion of the stadium was plunged into darkness due to faulty floodlights. This forced the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to postpone the start of the crucial qualifier. The Benin Football Federation (FBF) confirmed the issue via Facebook, stating that technicians were working to restore the lighting.

The delay caused considerable frustration among fans who had gathered at the stadium. Initially, the match was rescheduled for 20:00 GMT, but another delay pushed the kickoff to 20:45 GMT. The stadium gradually regained its luminosity, much to the relief of the waiting supporters.

Why Abidjan?

Benin is playing its home matches for both the World Cup qualifiers and the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Abidjan due to the lack of a suitable, homologated stadium in their own country. Until this incident, they had not experienced any major issues playing their 'home' games in the Ivorian capital.

The Stakes

This match is crucial for Benin's chances of securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup. A victory against Lesotho would significantly boost their position in the group, potentially placing them second behind Nigeria. The team is determined to make their mark in the qualifiers.

Recent Form

Prior to this match, Benin secured a vital win against Zimbabwe on September 5th, 2025, also played in Abidjan. Steve Mounié's late goal sealed the victory, earning them three valuable points. The team dedicated the win to former international Razack Omotoyossi, who recently passed away.