South Africa’s World Cup ambitions take centre stage this Friday when Bafana Bafana face Zimbabwe at Moses Mabhida Stadium. The CAF Group C qualifier carries huge weight, with Hugo Broos’ men needing victory to reclaim control of the standings.
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- Date: Friday, 10 October
- Kick-off: 18:00 CAT
- Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
- Broadcast: SuperSport and SABC
Points deducted, pressure added
Earlier in the campaign, South Africa had a comfortable grip on the group with 17 points. But a costly administrative error – fielding Teboho Mokoena while he was ineligible against Lesotho – saw FIFA impose a three-point deduction. That punishment dropped Bafana into second place, level on 14 points with Benin but trailing on goal difference.
Football law expert and former SAFA CEO Raymond Hack has warned there is little chance of the appeal overturning the decision, meaning Broos and his squad must make up for it on the pitch.
“Away” game on home soil
Friday’s fixture is officially Zimbabwe’s home match. However, the Warriors are without a suitable stadium, so the tie is staged in Durban. It is a quirk of the campaign that has benefited South Africa, as Benin coach Gernot Rohr pointed out when calling the advantage “crazy.”
For Bafana, the familiar conditions present a golden opportunity to reassert their dominance before their final qualifier against Rwanda on 14 October.
Team changes and selection updates
Broos has introduced a number of changes to his squad:
- Sipho Mbule earns a midfield role ahead of Patrick Maswanganyi.
- Khuliso Mudau returns to the squad after resolving club disputes at Sundowns.
- Sphephelo “Yaya” Sithole is back fit and likely to start.
- Mduduzi Shabalala steps in for the injured Relebohile Mofokeng.
- Evidence Makgopa replaces Iqraam Rayners, who withdrew through illness.
Expected Starting XI
Ronwen Williams (GK); Aubrey Modiba, Siyabonga Ngezana, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Khuliso Mudau; Sphephelo Sithole, Teboho Mokoena; Oswin Appollis, Sipho Mbule, Mohau Nkota; Lyle Foster.
History and high stakes
Zimbabwe last tasted victory over South Africa in a 2013 friendly. Since then, the Warriors have struggled against Bafana, who boast three wins and a draw in the past four meetings.
CAF’s format gives no margin for error: only group winners book direct tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The four best runners-up across nine groups will fight for a playoff spot that leads to the intercontinental qualifiers.
That makes this match crucial. Anything less than three points could leave South Africa relying on other results to keep their World Cup dream alive.
Check also: From 2002 to 2026? Bafana Bafana Edge Closer to World Cup Return
Bafana Bafana have been here before – facing the pressure of expectation at home. The Durban crowd will expect nothing less than a commanding performance. Will Hugo Broos’ men rise to the occasion and retake control of Group C?
