Zimbabwe vs South Africa: Proteas Clinch Final Spot with 7-Wicket Win
South Africa's World Cup aspirations suffered a setback after being held to a 0-0 draw by Zimbabwe, while Benin edged Rwanda 1-0 to take a two-point lead in Group C. Nigeria's 2-1 win over Lesotho has also kept their qualification hopes alive, setting up a thrilling finale.
The first half's final corner presented a golden opportunity for South Africa, but it slipped away...
South Africa's World Cup aspirations hit a roadblock after a 0-0 stalemate against Zimbabwe. The draw keeps them in contention but significantly complicates their path to qualification.
Benin took a crucial step towards securing a spot in the next round with a 1-0 win over Rwanda, now leading Group C by two points. Nigeria re-entered the fray with a 2-1 victory over Lesotho and now face Benin in a potential group-decider on Tuesday.
A Nigerian win would revive South Africa's hopes, setting up a dramatic finale where they host Rwanda. A win against Rwanda at home could still see South Africa through if Nigeria triumphs over Benin.
Bafana Bafana's World Cup qualification hopes hang in the balance after a draw against Zimbabwe. They had previously held a comfortable lead but now need the Super Eagles to do them a favor when the group stage concludes on Tuesday.
The tie with Zimbabwe adds to their woes after FIFA deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player in their World Cup qualifier against Lesotho. If Bafana Bafana fails to qualify, veteran coach Hugo Broos might bow out on a low note, given his stated intention to retire after the 2026 World Cup. Broos is keen on leading the team in the tournament before hanging up his coaching boots.
Coach Hugo Broos faced criticism for his tactical decisions, particularly removing Mohau Nkota at halftime despite the player's promising performance. The decision to not bring in an additional attacker when Zimbabwe was reduced to 10 men after Knowledge Musona's red card in the 63rd minute raised eyebrows.
South Africa's woes deepened with Mbekezeli Mbokazi's red card in stoppage time, leaving them with a daunting task ahead of their final match against Rwanda in Mpumalanga.
Bafana Bafana dominated the match, hitting the woodwork twice and having an effort cleared off the line, but ultimately had to settle for a 0-0 draw against Zimbabwe. Lyle Foster was particularly threatening, striking the woodwork in the second half after having an earlier shot miraculously cleared by Divine Lunga.
Zimbabwe's goalkeeper Ronwen Williams made two crucial saves late in the game to deny South Africa a late win. The Warriors celebrated furiously at the final whistle, relieved to have held their neighbors to a draw.
Mohau Nkota had a promising first half, hitting the upright with a powerful long-range left footer. Despite dominating possession, South Africa struggled to break down Zimbabwe's deep-lying defense.
Nkota and Oswin Appollis showed flashes of brilliance on the wings, but Appollis's crosses and passes left much to be desired. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, were largely outmuscled in midfield and vulnerable on the flanks.
Sipho Mbule showed flashes of brilliance in the playmaking role, displaying impressive touches and nearly scoring in the 36th minute before being thwarted by a timely tackle from Zimbabwe's Marvelous Nkamaba.
Despite his creative contributions, Mbule was wasteful in front of goal, failing to capitalize on several promising opportunities with subpar shooting.
The first half's final corner presented a golden opportunity for South Africa, but it slipped away. Zimbabwe goalkeeper Washington Arubi ventured out of his box, hesitated, and was caught out of position. Unfortunately, Nkosinathi Sibisi headed the ball over the crossbar, wasting a promising chance.
Zimbabwe had a few half-chances in the first half, with former Kaizer Chiefs striker Knowledge Musona and Tawanda Chirwa testing the South African goalkeeper. Marshall Munetsi also threatened with a skillful run into the penalty area but was brought down by Mbekezeli Mbokazi's well-timed tackle.
When Knowledge Musona's red card gave Zimbabwe a man disadvantage, coach Hugo Broos opted not to capitalize on the advantage. Instead of bringing in an extra attacker, Broos chose to maintain his defensive setup, potentially missing an opportunity to seal the win.
And so it ends pic.twitter.com/zSWIWWiz93
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 10, 2025
The decision left South Africa scrambling to avoid defeat, with the team launching desperate late attacks and narrowly avoiding a Zimbabwean counter-attack.
Current Group C Standings:
- Benin: 17 points, 5 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses
- South Africa: 15 points, 4 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses
- Nigeria: 14 points, 3 wins, 5 draws, 1 loss
The final matchday promises to be electrifying, with Nigeria hosting Benin and South Africa facing Rwanda.
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