Bafana coach reveals what worries him about Zimbabwe ahead of AFCON decider

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has admitted his team will face a different Zimbabwe side during their final group stage match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.

South Africa face Zimbabwe in yet another installment of the Southern African derby and while Zimbabwe are a team he knows too well, the Bafana boss is wary of their threat they pose after watching their first two matches at this tournament.

Zimbabwe made life difficult for Egypt and scored first before losing 2-1 and were close to beating Angola in their second match which they drew 1-1. The way they imposed themselves on Egypt and Angola has Broos a bit worried.

Why is Broos worried over Zimbabwe?

“They are playing a different way; this is not the Zimbabwe of six months ago,” Broos told the media on Sunday. “They are playing aggressively – not brutally, but aggressively – and they are a tough team. So again, for us it will be tough tomorrow [Monday] and we will have to reach our best level to beat them.”

South Africa need maximum points to be sure of second place in Group B after winning their opener 2-1 against Angola before losing 1-0 to Egypt although a draw will stiff be enough as it would earn them a place in the knockout round.

While he wants to win, Broos admits he would not mind a draw if that is the least they can manage as it would still get them to the Round of 16.

Bafana coach wouldn’t mind a draw

“We are a little bit in the same situation as two years ago in the group stages in Ivory Coast. Also in the last game we could not lose (a 0-0 draw with Tunisia), and this is the same thing tomorrow,” added the Belgian coach.

“If we don’t lose, we are in the next round, and that is the most important thing for us. On the other side, we all know the opponent tomorrow will be a tough one.

“I have been coach of South Africa for four years and in every qualification campaign during that time they have been in our group. We know each other very well. They also like to win against us – we have felt that before in previous matches.”

South Africa and Zimbabwe last faced off in a World Cup qualifier in October when the match ended goalless but Bafana Bafana have an upper hand in their last five meetings as they are unbeaten over that period, having won three and drawn twice.