Bafana Bafana played to a goalless draw against Zimbabwe in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday night, denting South Africa’s World Cup dream.
The 2023 AFCON bronze medallists failed to collect maximum points and remained second in Group C of the qualifiers with 15 points, while table toppers Benin moved to 17 points with a 1-0 victory over Rwanda.
Bafana hosted Zimbabwe in the penultimate round of the World Cup qualifiers, desperate to collect maximum points to keep their dream for the upcoming global showpiece alive.
In the past few days, South Africa suffered huge blows that left their qualification hanging in the balance. Bafana have been docked three points by FIFA for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, against Lesotho. The world governing body sanctioned the 1996 AFCON winners with a three-point deduction, with a 3-0 score line handed to Likuena.
Before facing Zimbabwe, Bafana had dropped to second place in Group C with 14 points, whereas Benin took the top spot on the same number of points with a superior goal difference.
Meanwhile, the Hugo Broos-coached side also lost key players Relebohile Mofokeng and Iqraam Rayners to injuries. Mduduzi Shabalala and Evidence Makgopa came in to replace the attacking duo.
SIPHO MBULE CAME CLOSE TO SCORING
In a fierce battle between the two sides from the Southern region of the African continent, Bafana created most of the chances in the early stages of the match as the Zim Warriors opted for a conservative approach to the match.
The best chances fell for Bafana before the half-hour mark in the first-half when Sipho Mbule unleashed a long-range shot, but Zim goalkeeper Washington Arubi parried the ball away.
Despite Bafana creating a handful of chances, the match went into the half-time break deadlocked at goalless. In the second stanza, Bafana made changes, bringing in Thapelo Morena and Bathusi Aubaas in place of Sphephelo Sithole and Mohau Nkota.
Bafana could not break down the solid defence of Zimbabwe on the day, ending the match with a 0-0 draw. They are under pressure to beat Rwanda next Tuesday and hope that other results go in their favour.
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