South Africa opens World Cup qualifying with 2-1 win over Benin

By ENOCK MUCHINJO The Associated Press

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — South Africa started its World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-1 home win against Benin on Saturday to take the early lead in Group C. Percy Tau put the hosts ahead in the second minute following a swift interchange of passes, and South Africa doubled its lead at the Moses Mabhida Stadium when Khuliso Mudau finished from close range on the stroke of halftime after Benin failed to clear the ball. Benin captain Steve Mounié reduced the deficit in the 69th by coolly slotting the ball past South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams from inside the box. Former Liverpool star Sadio Mané scored twice for Senegal in a 4-0 rout of South Sudan in Group B.