1: The more Sundowns players the better

Mamelodi Sundowns have dominated the South African top flight for almost a decade now, and the inclusion of Ronwen Williams, Aubrey Modiba, Mothobi Mvala, Khuliso Mudau, Teboho Mokoena and Themba Zwane in Hugo Broos' starting line-up is testament to the quality they bring to the Bafana team - no matter how hard the coach tries to deny it.

Mudau and Tau were especially impressive with their combination play up front.

Broos said post match: "We played with 11 players. We even played with 15 because there were some changes in the second half with the injuries. So there were less players from Sundowns but we won the game.

"Don't make a story about that. Whether it's a Sundowns player, [Orlando] Pirates or SuperSport player or whatever, for me it's more important that I have a team and a team that wins so it's not because of them or others."

2. Defending could be better

Despite a commanding backline with the experienced Mothobi Mvala at the heart of defence alongside Siyanda Xulu - who at times were exceptional - there was an alarming number of aerial battles lost, from free-kicks and long throws into the box.

"Against the game that Benin played it's very difficult, you also need guys of 1.90m height, we don't have them,” said Broos.

"They always kicked the ball to that long player, and then with the header and then the second ball and this is difficult to defend."

3. Complacency is a killer

With a two-goal lead, Bafana dropped the tempo in the second half and literally a minute after the commentator warned against complacency, a sloppy pass in midfield led to a goal for the opposition.

Jodel Dossou was able to reach a long diagonal pass out on the right flank and whipped in a super cross to an unmarked Steve Mounie, who had the composure to volley the ball past a stranded Williams.

From then on the nerves were visible and instead of cruising to a comfortable win, the home side were grateful to hear the final whistle.

4. Broos is still learning his side's strengths and weaknesses

It is fair to say that Bafana haven't set pulses racing in recent years - apart from their agonising heartbreak in failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

But under Hugo Broos, Bafana are unbeaten in an impressive 12 games. That's huge if you look at the record under previous managers. And the manager guided his team to a win on the opening day of qualifiers for the first time in 19 years!

The Belgian tactician plays a slick passing game and his team showed they are not always able to compete physically with some of the more robust teams.

He explained: "In the second half I think Benin played a simple game, kicking the ball in front of the centre forward who is very strong with the head and the second ball.

"They were also more aggressive too, so we panicked a little bit and conceded a goal. That was certainly not the plan.

“I told the players at half-time to keep the score at 2-0 and try to go for the third one.

"But the game of Benin changed totally in the second half because they were more aggressive."

5. Bafana Bafana play better with fans

If Siphiwe Tshabalala can run the full length of the pitch and smash the ball in the top corner of the net with 84,000 screaming South Africans at his neck, imagine what Percy Tau and Themba Zwane could do with half that support.

After dismal crowds in Gauteng, SAFA moved Bafana's game with Benin to Durban and there was a slight improvement with a noisy 10,000 supporters in attendance.

Broos acknowledged the support, saying: "I was so happy to see so many people and they helped us in the difficult moments.

"Let's hope for the next home games that the crowd will be there because we deserve it, this team deserves.

“We lost three times in two and half years. A team like that deserves to be supported."

South Africa, who ended their afternoon top of Group C with three points, ahead of Nigeria and Zimbabwe on two apiece, are away to Rwanda next.

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