Bafana Bafana’s World Cup hopes dim after goalless draw with 10-man Zimbabwe

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Bafana Bafana's hopes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup suffered a heavy blow as they were held to a goalless draw by 10-man Zimbabwe at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday night.

In a match that tested patience and precision, Hugo Broos’ men dominated possession but failed to convert their superiority into goals, as the Warriors defended heroically to frustrate the hosts.

The result leaves Bafana second in Group C on 15 points — two behind leaders Benin, who claimed a 1-0 win away to Rwanda in the match that was played at the same time. South Africa now need a miracle on the final day, hoping Nigeria beat Benin while they take care of business in their own fixture against Rwanda in Mbombela.

Rwanda remains the only team to have beaten South Africa in these qualifiers.

With a mental hurdle to overcome and a packed crowd behind them, Bafana walked out to a roaring reception in Durban, where fans braved Friday traffic to support the team.

Broos made two changes to his starting lineup, recalling Khuliso Mudau and Siphephelo Sithole, while keeping faith with the attacking trio that started the previous qualifier in pursuit of continuity.

The hosts nearly made the perfect start when Oswin Appollis sent in a teasing low cross inside the first minute, but Lyle Foster was a split second late to apply the finishing touch.

Despite being out of contention, Zimbabwe refused to be mere participants. Their compact shape and swift counter-attacks forced Bafana to stay cautious, with the Warriors’ experienced spine making life difficult for the home side.

Sipho Mbule was once again Bafana’s creative spark, dictating play and finding pockets between the lines. Yet, despite his best efforts, the visitors’ resilience held firm.

The breakthrough nearly arrived on the stroke of halftime — Mohau Nkota’s thunderous drive cannoned off the upright before Nkosinathi Sibisi headed over from close range. It was a frustrating end to a lively first half that had promised much but delivered little.

Broos responded with a double change after the break, introducing Bathusi Aubaas and Thapelo Morena to add drive and balance. The move immediately freed Mbule to push higher, and he soon threaded a perfectly weighted ball through to Foster.

The Burnley striker rounded goalkeeper Washington Arubi, but a moment of hesitation allowed a defender to recover and block his effort on the line — a miss that left the packed Mabhida crowd gasping in disbelief.

Moments later, Zimbabwe were reduced to 10 men when former Kaizer Chiefs forward Knowledge Musona received a second yellow card for a cynical foul on Appollis.

That dismissal set up a tense finale, with Bafana throwing everything forward in search of a winner. The Warriors, however, stood tall under pressure, Arubi commanding his box and the defenders repelling cross after cross.

With Benin taking control of the group elsewhere, Bafana’s failure to find the net may yet prove fatal. What began as a night of hope in Durban ended in disappointment — and left South Africa’s World Cup dream hanging by the thinnest of threads.

As much as head coach Hugo Broos remained defiant after South Africa were docked three points by Fifa following the March Mokoena yellow card saga against Lesotho, he was a picture of frustration after the Durban and will have to psyche himself and his players back for the Tuesday match.