Zimbabwe’s vice-captain, Marshall Munetsi, a former Orlando Pirates star, has revealed that The Warriors were determined to frustrate Bafana Bafana in their recent clash due to comments made by coach Hugo Broos.
The Warriors held Bafana Bafana to a frustrating 0-0 draw on 10 October at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, a result that almost dashed Bafana’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
However, the Broos-led side made it to the global showpiece after beating Rwanda in the last group match. In addition, Benin’s 4-0 defeat at the hands of Nigeria all but granted them passage to the World Cup.
WHAT ZIM VICE-CAPTAIN MARSHALL MUNETSI SAID
Speaking on Metro FM Sports Night Amplified, Munetsi explained that the team’s mindset was influenced by Broos’ comments prior to the match, where he downplayed Zimbabwe’s strength.
“For him to say he’s not taking us seriously. It touched us as players. We wanted to prove him wrong,” Munetsi said.
Broos had said: “Why should people start doubting after what we have achieved so far. You start doubting now because of a tricky situation, yet we’re facing Zimbabwe and Rwanda, not Nigeria, Cameroon, or Egypt. These are good teams, yes, but not top teams. So why should we doubt?”
The Zimbabwe vice-captain spilt the beans, stating that Broos’ comments have set up a fiery fight when the two nations meet again at AFCON 2025. Bafana and Zimbabwe are in Group B along with Angola and Egypt.
“You know, the comments that he [Hugo Broos] made about us, I think it also really touched us as players. When he said he doesn’t really feel like Zimbabwe is a big team or that they are a threat. Obviously, we didn’t really perform well as we would want to do in the qualifiers for the World Cup.
“But for him also to make such comments. As soon as he said that, guys were calling each other and talking and saying that obviously they are a direct opponent for us in the World Cup qualifiers, but also especially at AFCON.”
ZIM FANS HAVE ZERO TOLERANCE FOR LOSING TO BAFANA SAYS MUNETSI
Munetsi said Zimbabwean football fans have zero tolerance for losses against South Africa. The Wolves star added that expectations are always running extremely high whenever the two teams clash.
“So, personally, for us, it was a personal game in terms of what the coach [Broos] said. And secondly, I think it was a derby that a lot of the Zimbabweans would forgive us for losing against Lesotho.
“But also, they would never forgive us for losing against South Africa. So, that was the different mindset that was there and knowing that in a few, probably two months or so, we’ll be playing against them in the AFCON finals.
“So, I think this was something that we really wanted to make sure we do better in that aspect. I think just for him not taking us seriously because if you check our team, we do really have a good team,” Munetsi added.
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