Desperate Bafana face defiant Zimbabwe in Durban showdown

South Africa will look to reclaim the top spot in Group C of CAF FIFA World Cup qualifying when they face Zimbabwe at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday evening. 

Kick-off is at 6pm, with live coverage on SABC and SuperSport channels.

Hugo Broos’ side topped the group with 17 points before a three-point deduction for fielding the ineligible Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho in March. The forfeiture leaves Bafana level on 14 points with Benin and trailing only on goal difference, putting extra pressure on the team to deliver in their remaining fixtures.

A CAS arbitrator, who has previously served on FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee, says there is no realistic chance that South Africa’s win over Lesotho will be reinstated. Despite this setback, Benin head coach Gernot Rohr has pointed out that Bafana still enjoy a “crazy” advantage: hosting away fixtures against neighbouring countries due to a lack of suitable venues there.

A win over Zimbabwe would give South Africa a crucial step toward automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The winner of the group advances directly, while the four best runners-up across the nine CAF groups will enter a knockout tournament to determine Africa’s inter-continental play-off representative.

Zimbabwe not going quietly

On paper, the clash looks one-sided, but Zimbabwe will not make it easy for Bafana. The Warriors are enduring a rough patch, having failed to win in their last eight qualifying matches, with four defeats and four draws. 

Rock bottom of Group C, they have lost their last two games 1-0 to Benin and Rwanda, and even with star Khama Billiat back, their attacking efficiency remains a concern. Across 13 games in all competitions, Zimbabwe have managed just one victory.

Yet goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze warned that the Warriors will fight hard. “It’s an opportunity for us because remember … we are also preparing for the Afcon and we are not taking this game lightly, like every qualifier that we’ve played,” he said.

Zimbabwe are using the match to prepare for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, bringing experienced players such as Knowledge Musona, Khama Billiat, and Marshall Munetsi to South Africa. 

Chipezeze added, “We went out there and we tried to compete at the highest level; therefore, these two games that are coming up are also a chance for us to prepare well, so when we go to that tournament, we know where we are as a nation. So, it is a good opportunity for us, starting with Bafana Bafana and Lesotho, so it’s preparations for us.”

Bafana Bafana must deliver

South Africa, meanwhile, has shown consistency, winning eight of their last 11 qualifiers. With pressure mounting after the FIFA deduction, Hugo Broos’ team must win against Zimbabwe and Rwanda to secure World Cup qualification.

The match may come down to key moments and individual brilliance. Chipezeze, if selected, has a reputation for frustrating stronger opponents in crucial matches — a potential hurdle for Bafana’s attack. 

Despite Zimbabwe’s defensive capabilities, its lack of firepower could give South Africa the edge needed to secure a decisive victory in Durban.

Match details:

South Africa vs Zimbabwe

• Date & time: Friday, 6pm
• Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
• TV: SABC and SuperSport