Zimbabwe vs Bafana Bafana: Match Facts, Prediction and Betting Tips

With history leaning slightly in South Africa’s favor and current form heavily tilted their way, Bafana Bafana will be looking to take another step toward World Cup qualification. For Zimbabwe, it’s a chance to salvage pride and disrupt their neighbor’s campaign.

Match Facts

Neighbours and rivals Zimbabwe and South Africa will meet on matchday 9 in Group C of 2026 FIFAWCQ, Zimbabwe are bottom of the group with 4 points after 8 matchdays. South Africa a second in the group with 14 points.

This game represents the 19^th meeting between the teams.

Of their previous 18 clashes South Africa holds a slender advantage with 8 wins to 6, while 4 games have been drawn.

Zimbabwe did manage to win a COSAFA Cup Semi-final in 2009 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Zimbabwe have scored 16 goals, while Bafana Bafana have scored 21 across their previous 18 meetings.

In their earlier meeting in the current qualifying campaign for the 2026 FIFAWC, South Africa defeated Zimbabwe 3-1 at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on the 11^th June 2024.

When the sides met on matchday four of qualifying South Africa had failed to win their previous two games losing to Rwanda 2-0 and drawing with Nigeria 1-1, before defeating Zimbabwe 3-1. Which was their second win of the qualifying campaign.

In their June 2024 meeting Iqraam Rayners had South Africa 1-0 ahead in the 1^st minute, Zimbabwe levelled through Tawanda Chirewa in the 2^nd minute, a second half brace from Thapelo Morena saw Bafana Bafana through to a 3-1 win.

Victory over Zimbabwe on match day three, was the start of a four game winning streak for South Africa, one of which a 2-0 home win over Lesotho which was later annulled for featuring Teboho Mokoena who should have served a suspension for the game.

The first meeting between Zimbabwe and Southern neighbours South Africa took place on the 16^th August 1992, in a 1994 AFCON Qualifier in Harare won 4-1 by Zimbabwe.

Overall the sides have met in 7 official matches across AFCON and FIFAWCQ of these games Zimbabwe has 1 win, South Africa has 4 wins and 2 games have been drawn.

In FIFAWCQ the teams met in qualifying for the 2002 FIFAWC, South Africa won the first game 2-0 in Harare on the 9^th July 2000, courtesy of a Delron Buckley brace.

Their second meeting in 2002 FIFAWCQ saw South Africa win 2-1 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on the 5^th May 2001, Shaun Bartlett in the 17^th minute and Benni McCarthy in the 39^th minute had Bafana Bafana 2-0 up before Peter Ndlovu converted a 53^rd minute penalty.

South Africa would qualify for the 2002 FIFAWC.

In qualifying for the 2022 FIFAWC they met in Group G on matchday one on the 3^rd September 2021 in Harare, the game ended 0-0.

Their second meeting in 2022 FIFAWCQ saw Bafana Bafana win 1-0 on matchday five on the 14^th November 2021 at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, Teboho Mokoena scored the games only goal in the 26^th minute.

South Africa are undefeated in their last three games against Zimbabwe last losing to them in a friendly international on the 10^th September 2021.

Zimbabwe’s 16 goals have been scored by 12 different players, Peter Ndlovu and Knowledge Musona are their top scorers with three goals each.

South Africa’s 21 goals have been scored by 15 different players with Shaun Bartlett their top scorer with 3 goals. Bafana Bafana have also been the beneficiary of an own goal.

Zimbabwe’s biggest win over South Africa was their 4-1 triumph in Harare in August 1992 in a 1994 AFCON Qualifying game.

South Africa’s biggest win over Zimbabwe came in a friendly game in Durban in January 2010 a 3-0 win.

This game is the second between the sides at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, their only other clash at the venue came in a friendly in 2010, which South Africa won 3-0.

Prediction & Betting Insight

With form, history, and motivation on their side, South Africa are clear favorites. Zimbabwe’s defensive frailties and lack of goals, just 16 in 18 meetings, suggest a tough outing ahead. See our promocodes here

Prediction: South Africa 2–0 Zimbabwe

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