South Africa vs Zimbabwe: Players to watch

South Africa and Zimbabwe face off yet again this year with a place in the Last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations at stake in Marrakech on Monday.

Bafana Bafana need a win to guarantee them second place in Group B while a draw will be enough to seal a place in the knockout round but the Warriors must win to keep alive their AFCON 2025 aspirations.

To do that, both coaches will need to select a formidable squad and there are players who will likely make a difference.

South Africa

Lyle Foster

Lyle Foster was the match winner against Angola when he curled in a fine strike 11 minutes from time although he had a quiet game against Egypt.

However, his intelligence and size allows him to drift wide, centrally and drop into the No.10 to create space for others while he is good in tight spaces which will be the case against a more defensive Zimbabwe. Foster’s last four international strikes arrived after half-time.

Relebohile Mofokeng

This is a game that suits Orlando Pirates winger Relebohile Mofokeng as Zimbabwe will be solid at the back and hence the need for a fleetfooted player with the intelligence to open them up.

They do not come better than Rele and after his second-half introduction against Egypt, this could be the time to throw him in from the start as has the ability to create, score and run rugged a team that plays with a low block.

Teboho Mokoena

With Bafana Bafana set to be on the front foot, little defensive work will be expected from them and therefore winning the midfield battle will tilt the game in their favour.

Teboho Mokoena has the technical ability to dictate the tempo of the game and he will likely get more license to get forward, acting as the link between defence and attack for South Africa.

Zimbabwe

Knowledge Musona

A man very familiar to South Africans, former Kaizer Chiefs star Knowledge Musona is one to watch as he has that killer instinct when he gets in and around the box.

Musona moved into second on Zimbabwe’s all-time top scorer charts with his equaliser against Angola and three of his last four international goals all leveled the scores.

Jonah Fabisch

The German-based midfielder has excelled in their last two games and nearly scored a cracker against Angola as his long-range effort just sailed over.

Fabisch offers mobility and intelligence in central midfield while he is physically strong. His composure helps him to get the team out of trouble when under pressure and this will be key against South Africa.

Divine Lunga

Another familiar face among Bafana Bafana supporters, Mamelodi Sundowns left-back Divine Lunga will be the man tasked with keeping Tshepang Moremi quiet if he starts on the right wing.

Lunga, who likes to make forward runs to act as another attacking outlet, has the advantage of playing in the PSL which makes him familiar to the South Africa squad and that will come in handy against Hugo Broos’ men.