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Zimbabwe v South Africa: Line-ups, stats and preview

Zimbabwe take on South Africa on Monday in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Written by 101 GreatGoals
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Zimbabwe v South Africa: Line-ups, stats and preview

Zimbabwe v South Africa preview

South Africa need a draw to guarantee reaching the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations when they meet Zimbabwe in the final match in Group B for both sides on Monday.

Bafana beat Angola 2-1 in their opener before losing 1-0 on Friday to an Egypt side who were reduced to 10 players for the second half.

Manager Hugo Broos was unhappy with the award of Egypt’s decisive penalty against his side and believed his team should have been awarded a late spot kick.

“What happened will motivate us 200% to win against South Africa,” said Broos. “We know that we have to win to be sure [of progressing] – and we will.”

Zimbabwe are certain to take the second automatic qualification spot in the section at South Africa’s expense if they win and Angola fail to beat Egypt, who are already through, in the simultaneous group decider.

The Warriors drew their second match of the campaign 1-1 with Angola, having led against the Pharaohs in their first match until Omar Marmoush’s 64th minute equaliser, with Mo Farah scoring a 91st-minute winner.

“At least we still have a chance and we are playing for something,” said captain Marvelous Nakamba. “It’s an opportunity to give everything, fight for our country and, hopefully, get a more positive result.”

Should either side not finish in the top two, they will hope to qualify as one of the four best third-placed teams from the six groups in Morocco.

Zimbabwe v South Africa team news

Zimbabwe are without Walter Musona, who scored twice in qualifying, but are likely to start again with forward Knowledge Musona, who took his international tally to 27 goals with a superb piece of control and finish against Angola.

Defender Divine Lunga joined 35-year-old Musona in being fit again for that game, but Cincinnati defender Teenage Hadebe is a doubt after being forced off through injury during the first half.

Plymouth Argyle’s Brendan Galloway, who has himself been returning to full fitness, replaced Hadebe.

Versatile Wolves player Marshall Munetsi missed out on the finals with a calf injury, as did Udinese full-back Jordan Zemura because of a thigh problem.

Long-serving midfielder Themba Zwane helped South Africa finish third in 2023 and was named in their provisional squad but missed out through a knee injury.

Zimbabwe v South Africa: AFCON 2025 predicted line-ups

Zimbabwe starting XI: Washington Arubi, Gerald Takwara, Marvelous Nakamba, Teenage Hadebe, Emmanuel Jalai, Prince Dube, Jonah Fabisch, Bill Antonio, Divine Lunga, Macauley Bonne, Knowledge Musona

South Africa starting XI: Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Siyabonga Ngezana, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba, Tshepang Moremi, Sphephelo Sithole, Sipho Mbule, Teboho Mokoena, Oswin Appollis, Lyle Foster

How to watch Zimbabwe v South Africa: TV channel, live online stream

Kick-off on Monday is at 16:00 GMT (11:00 ET / 08:00 PT). In the UK, live AFCON 2025 coverage is on Channel 4 Sport’s YouTube channel. In the USA, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.

Online live streaming is available on a vast range of devices through Channel 4’s website and app and the beIN Sports app.

Zimbabwe v South Africa: AFCON 2025 stats

  • These teams drew 0-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Durban on October 10
  • Zimbabwe have never won inside their first two games at the finals, with all four of their wins in their final group game
  • Their overall AFCON record is W3 D3 L11
  • None of their games at the finals have ended 0-0 and they have never recorded a clean sheet
  • A run of scoring in each of their last four games is the longest run of successive goals at the AFCON in their history
  • A 2-1 friendlywin over Qatar on December 17 is their only victory in their last seven matches
  • South Africa’s last four group-stage wins have come against Angola in 2013 and 2025 and Namibia in 2019 and 2023
  • Bafana’s defeat to Egypt was their first AFCON loss in open play in eight games since losing to Mali in 2023 (W3 D4)
  • They had won their previous two games against North African teams, beating Egypt and Morocco in 2019 and 2023 after previously going winless in four such matches (D1 L3)
  • The result ended their 11-match unbeaten run (including friendlies)

Zimbabwe v South Africa prediction

South Africa

1 – 1

Zimbabwe

South Africa are 68 places above Zimbabwe in Fifa’s rankings and odds-on to win but, with ample incentive for both teams, a draw looks good value. Zimbabwe’s last six competitive matches have been draws or decided by a goal.

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