Zimbabwe vs South Africa LIVE!
South Africa’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup in 2026 took a big hit as they were frustrated by Zimbabwe at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Bafana Bafana had been touted as the favourites to qualify automatically from Group C, but after a three-point deduction was handed to them by FIFA for fielding a suspended player back in March, it thrust them back in the mix of a tight group of hopefuls.
They needed to beat basement boys Zimbabwe and Rwanda to keep the pressure on, but with results elsewhere not going in their favour, Hugo Broos’ side are lying in second place with just one game to go. They found home goalkeeper Washington Arubi in inspired form, as he kept out Sipho Mbule from range a handful of times, while Mohau Nkota and Burnley’s Lyle Foster both cracked efforts against the woodwork.
Frustrations boiled over for both sides as the hosts saw Knowledge Musona dismissed for two yellow cards, before central defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi was sent off late in second-half stoppage time for losing his head. Oswin Appollis was bright off the left for the South Africans, but he faded as the game wore on, much like their World Cup qualification hopes.
Zimbabwe vs South Africa latest news
- OFF THE POST! Foster sees side-foot cannon off far stick
- CLOSE! Sibisi nods over
- RED CARD! Musona sent off
- OFF THE LINE! Foster halted by Lunga
- OFF THE POST! Nkota crashes the woodwork
FT: Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:57 , Oli GentThat’s it, and it finishes goalless. South Africa’s World Cup dream teeters on the brink, and some players are in tears!
Thanks for joining us on Standard Sport, be sure to come back very soon for even more LIVE World Cup qualifying action!
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:57 , Oli Gent90+6 mins: It’s a red for Mbokazi, whose head has gone! A wild finish!
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:51 , Oli Gent90+2 mins: Six added minutes.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:51 , Oli Gent90+1 min: What a chance! The corner is taken short and South Africa leave just four back. It’s worked into the box, with the first shot blocked, and Zemura drags his shot wide!
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:50 , Oli Gent90 mins: What an effort that is! Musoni has a huge crack from distance with the free kick for Zimbabwe, and it needs saving from Williams!
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:48 , Oli Gent89 mins: Benin are one-up against Rwanda, and Nigeria are leading! Any favourites status that South Africa had, that’s gone!
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:48 , Oli Gent88 mins: Another chance goes begging for South Africa as Mbule tries his luck from distance, but drags the shot wide.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:44 , Oli Gent85 mins: Moremi and Makgopa are on for Appollis and Modiba for the visitors.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:43 , Oli Gent83 mins: Off the post! It’s just not going in for South Africa, and this time it’s Foster who is denied by the post! He goes for a side-footed finish across the keeper, but he sees his effort cannon off the woodwork!
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:42 , Oli Gent82 mins: Lesotho have pulled one back, and maybe there is hope for Bafana Bafana! Benin are currently being held by Rwanda.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:38 , Oli Gent79 mins: Nigeria have a second against Lesotho. Not good news for South Africa.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:38 , Oli Gent78 mins: Garananga is limping, but is looking like he wants to give it a go. Currently, the hosts are down to nine.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:33 , Oli Gent74 mins: Close! Appollis is over it and delivers, and Sibisi is in there as a melee ensues, but Arubi is clattered by the defender and gets the free kick.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:32 , Oli Gent73 mins: A bit of a lull in this game as Bafana Bafana look to up the tempo. Morena is carrying the fight down the right, and wins a corner.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:28 , Oli Gent70 mins: Free kick, South Africa. Nakamba is penalised for felling Mokoena.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:26 , Oli Gent67 mins: Hugo Broos is another that has been shown a card. The South Africa boss has been cautioned.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:23 , Oli Gent64 mins: Red card! Zimbabwe are down to 10, and Musona is off, having been shown a second yellow!
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:22 , Oli Gent62 mins: How do Zimbabwe react with Munetsi hurt? Can they dig deep and find that extra gear?
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:19 , Oli Gent59 mins: Not good news for Zimbabwe as Munetsi has suffered a knock. Meanwhile, Chirewa is off, Maswanhise is on.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:15 , Oli Gent55 mins: Off the line! What a chance! South Africa denied an opened as Appollis and Foster combine, with the striker rounding the keeper and looking to finish, but it’s cleared off the line at the last by Lunga!
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:14 , Oli Gent54 mins: Not a good start to the second half for South Africa as Nigeria take the lead against Lesotho!
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:11 , Oli Gent51 mins: Corner, South Africa. Morena goes through the gears down the right and gets the ball across, but it’s deflected behind for a set piece. However, there’s pushing and shoving in the box and the hosts get the free kick.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:09 , Oli Gent50 mins: Williams punches clear, and South Africa avert the danger.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:08 , Oli Gent49 mins: Corner, Zimbabwe. A first real foray forward from Zemura, who looks to find Munetsi in the box, and the hosts have a corner.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:06 , Oli Gent47 mins: Thapelo Morena and Bathusi Aubaas are both on for South Africa, replacing Nkota and Sithole.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
18:05 , Oli Gent46 mins: Kick off! We’re back underway.
HT: Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
17:49 , Oli GentThere’s the interval. Goalless at the break, but South Africa knocking on the door.
What will the second half have in store?
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
17:49 , Oli Gent45+1 min: One added minute.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
17:48 , Oli Gent45 mins: Close! The corner comes in for the visitors, and Sibisi coming in! He nods just over! Agonising!
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
17:46 , Oli Gent43 mins: Off the post! The closest that Bafana Bafana have come as Nkota goes for a dipping effort, cutting off the right and onto his left, and he crashes it against the woodwork!
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
17:44 , Oli Gent41 mins: Free kick, South Africa. Modiba is pushed by Munetsi on the halfway line.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
17:39 , Oli Gent37 mins: That’s nice as Foster and Appollis combine down the left, and the winger looks to feed the striker in the box, but Nakamba slides in at the last! Tentative claims for a penalty from the visitors, but nothing doing.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
17:39 , Oli Gent36 mins: Nothing by way of any real quality so far. Mbule’s effort from range is the only bit we’ve had...
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
17:35 , Oli Gent32 mins: There’s been a big delay before this free kick, which Mokoena takes, looking to float it into the area, but it doesn’t come off.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
17:32 , Oli Gent29 mins: Chance here for South Africa with a free kick from range. Appollis wants this one, but Mokoena is taking charge, it seems. Meanwhile, Lunga is down hurt.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
17:29 , Oli Gent26 mins: Good save! The first sighting of goal as Mbule’s shot from range bounces awkardly for Arubi, who palms it behind! Corner, South Africa, but again, they’ve gone short, and again, it’s not worked.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
17:27 , Oli Gent24 mins: Still no real openings for either side here. It’s been mostly South Africa, who are knocking it around with little urgency.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
17:23 , Oli Gent21 mins: Danger averted as the short delivery doesn’t work.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
17:23 , Oli Gent20 mins: They started patiently, South Africa, but you can sense that they are already starting to get frustrated as they look for a more direct approach over the top. That’s knocked behind for Foster to chase, but it’s cut out. Nkota drives to the byline in the second phase looking to get a cross in, and Lunga blocks it. Corner, South Africa.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
17:20 , Oli Gent17 mins: No real chances of note for either side. Zimbabwe are showing more attacking intent than most thought they might, but they’ve lacked that cutting edge in the final third so far. A short corner worked towards Chirewa is collected comfortably by Williams.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
17:15 , Oli Gent13 mins: That’s a nice run from Munetsi with a neat nutmeg, but Mbokazi steps across to avert the danger.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
17:12 , Oli Gent10 mins: Appollis shows some positivity down the left, with a lovely first touch, and he drives at his full-back. He wins the corner, the first for the visitors, but the winger’s ball in is cleared with ease.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
17:11 , Oli Gent8 mins: Corner, Zimbabwe. Musona is over this one as there is a bit of a miscommunication at the back for Bafana Bafana, as Mbokazi flicks it behind under no pressure. Musona’s delivery is poor, though, and South Africa have it once more.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
17:09 , Oli Gent7 mins: Free kick, South Africa. Nkota shows tricky feet off the right and is felled by Takwara. Arubi organises his defence, but the delivery doesn’t beat the first man, as Musona clears with a header.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
17:08 , Oli Gent5 mins: A very clear 4-2-3-1 for South Africa, and it’s a 4-3-3 for the hosts. It’s a tight back four for Zimbabwe, but one that could transition into a five if really necessary.
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
17:05 , Oli Gent2 mins: Close! The cross is swung in by Modiba for the South Africans, towards Foster, who is clattered by Arubi as he looks to poke home. The home goalkeeper does well to keep out the dangerous ball in.
Kick off!
17:00 , Oli Gent1 min: We’re underway.
Five minute warning!
16:55 , Oli GentHere come the players, and it’s time for some anthems.
Ten minutes to kick off
16:50 , Oli GentAnticipation is building at the Moses Mabhida Stadium!
Zimbabwe line-up
16:40 , Oli GentConfirmed Zimbabwe XI: Raubi; Billirt, Hadebe, Lunga, Garananga, Zemura; Musona, Nakamba, Chirewa, Takwara; Munetsi.
Subs: Mapisa, Chipezese, Fabisch, Maswanhise, Dzvukamanja, Jalai, Dube, Ngwenya, Musona, Galloway, Antonio, Murwira.
South Africa line-up
16:30 , Oli GentConfirmed South Africa XI: Williams; Mudau, Mbokazi, Sibisi, Modiba; Mokoena, Sithole, Mbule; Nkota, Foster, Appollis.
Subs: Chaine, Goss, Shabalala, Aubaas, Ndamane, Makgopa, Matuludi, Morena, Moremi, Khoza, Kabini, Mbatha.
World Cup permutations: What Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa need to qualify
16:20 , Oli GentNigeria, Ghana and South Africa are among the nations hoping to seal their places at the 2026 World Cup.
The African section of qualification for next summer’s tournament has entered its final stages.
As things currently stand, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria are the four nations from Africa guaranteed a place at the next World Cup, but there are still so many places up for grabs.
Five more group winners will directly qualify for the World Cup, while the four best group runners-up will participate in play-offs to determine which team will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs that take place in March 2026.
So it is all to play for, and you can find out exactly what each team needs here!
Why did South Africa get a points deduction?
16:10 , Oli GentGood question.
They fielded Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho back in March despite the midfielder being suspended for accumulating too many yellow cards.
That went to a FIFA tribunal, which ruled that Bafana Bafana had breached the ineligibility rules. They were handed a 3-0 defeat as a result, losing the three points they’d earned with their 2-0 win over Lesotho, and as such, they lost top spot in Group C.
Standard Sport prediction
16:00 , Oli GentSouth Africa should be winning this one, especially with form on their side.
The 2010 World Cup hosts would be top of this group had it not been for the points deduction, but instead, Benin sit at the summit.
As such, it leaves Bafana Bafana with work to do. They must beat Zimbabwe tonight, before they face Rwanda in their final qualifying match.
Win both of those, and they are in with a real chance of automatic qualification as group winners. They’ll be hoping that Nigeria beat Benin next week to seal their direct entry into next year’s tournament.
South Africa to win, 2-0.
South Africa team news
15:45 , Oli GentHugo Broos’ South African side, captained by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, will hang their goalscoring hopes on Burnley’s Lyle Foster, who has eight goals in 18 games for his country.
Other names you may recognise are Samukele Kabini, the Molde defender, and Mohau Nkota, who plays for Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League.
The big name in the middle of the park is Teboho Mokoena, the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder, who played despite being suspended against Lesotho.
Zimbabwe team news
15:30 , Oli GentFor Michael Nees’ side, their squad consists of a number of names that you might have heard of.
Wolves’ Marshall Munetsi is their star man, and he wears the captain’s armband.
In defence, Bournemouth fans might remember Jordan Zemura, the left-back, who now plies his trade with Udinese.
Brendan Galloway is another, coming through the ranks at Everton before finding himself a permanent home at League One Plymouth Argyle.
Alongside Munetsi in the engine room, former Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, now of Luton Town, is also present.
Munetsi’s Wolves team-mate Tawanda Chirewa should complete the trio.
How to watch
15:15 , Oli GentTV channel: This game will not be shown live on TV in the UK.
Live stream: However, you can stream the match live on FIFA+, the federation’s official streaming platform. Kick off is at 5pm BST.
Hello and welcome!
15:06 , Oli Gent... to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Zimbabwe vs South Africa in World Cup qualifying!
This should be a belter, with the South Africans out to make amends for their three-point deduction last time out. More on that later.
Stay tuned for all the updates, with kick off at 5pm BST!
