FIFA World Cup Qualifying - CAF

South Africa vs Zimbabwe, 2026 World Cup Qualifying - CAF, Group Stage

· FIFA World Cup Qualifying - CAF
South Africa
  • 1': Iqraam Rayners
  • 55': Thapelo Morena
  • 76': Thapelo Morena
FT
3 - 1
Zimbabwe
  • 2': Tawanda Chirewa

About

South Africa are hosting Zimbabwe at Free State Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa, starting on . The match is a part of the FIFA World Cup Qualifying - CAF.

Match Commentary

  • 0': Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
  • 0': First Half begins.
  • 1': Goal! South Africa 1, Zimbabwe 0. Iqraam Rayners (South Africa) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner.
  • 2': Goal! South Africa 1, Zimbabwe 1. Tawanda Chirewa (Zimbabwe) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Marshall Munetsi.
  • 5': Attempt saved. Elias Mokwana (South Africa) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Iqraam Rayners.
  • 8': Foul by Teboho Mokoena (South Africa).
  • 8': Richard Hachiro (Zimbabwe) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 9': Attempt blocked. Iqraam Rayners (South Africa) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Oswin Appollis.
  • 9': Attempt blocked. Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Aubrey Modiba.
  • 10': Douglas Mapfumo (Zimbabwe) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 10': Foul by Teboho Mokoena (South Africa).
  • 12': Corner, South Africa. Conceded by Munashe Garananga.
  • 13': Corner, South Africa. Conceded by Godknows Murwira.
  • 14': Foul by Andy Rinomhota (Zimbabwe).
  • 14': Themba Zwane (South Africa) wins a free kick on the right wing.
  • 15': Attempt blocked. Walter Musona (Zimbabwe) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Tawanda Chirewa.
  • 16': Attempt blocked. Oswin Appollis (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Themba Zwane.
  • 16': Attempt blocked. Khuliso Mudau (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
  • 19': Attempt saved. Oswin Appollis (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Iqraam Rayners.
  • 19': Aubrey Modiba (South Africa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 19': Foul by Marshall Munetsi (Zimbabwe).
  • 23': Attempt missed. Iqraam Rayners (South Africa) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Oswin Appollis with a cross.
  • 31': Foul by Andy Rinomhota (Zimbabwe).
  • 31': Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 32': Foul by Oswin Appollis (South Africa).
  • 32': Godknows Murwira (Zimbabwe) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 34': Foul by Walter Musona (Zimbabwe).
  • 34': Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 35': Attempt blocked. Oswin Appollis (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Themba Zwane.
  • 36': Attempt saved. Tawanda Chirewa (Zimbabwe) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Walter Musona.
  • 36': Corner, Zimbabwe. Conceded by Ronwen Williams.
  • 37': Foul by Godknows Murwira (Zimbabwe).
  • 37': Oswin Appollis (South Africa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 37': Offside, South Africa. Elias Mokwana is caught offside.
  • 40': Attempt blocked. Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Elias Mokwana.
  • 40': Attempt blocked. Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Elias Mokwana.
  • 40': Corner, South Africa. Conceded by Munashe Garananga.
  • 40': Attempt missed. Mothobi Mvala (South Africa) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Teboho Mokoena with a cross following a corner.
  • 42': Attempt saved. Iqraam Rayners (South Africa) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Teboho Mokoena.
  • 42': Corner, South Africa. Conceded by Godfrey Chitsumba.
  • 43': Attempt saved. Iqraam Rayners (South Africa) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Oswin Appollis with a cross.
  • 43': Corner, South Africa. Conceded by Godfrey Chitsumba.
  • 43': Corner, South Africa. Conceded by Andy Rinomhota.
  • 44': Divine Lunga (Zimbabwe) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 44': Foul by Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa).
  • 45': Attempt missed. Tawanda Chirewa (Zimbabwe) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Divine Lunga.
  • 45': Foul by Gerald Takwara (Zimbabwe).
  • 45': Iqraam Rayners (South Africa) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
  • 45'+2': Attempt missed. Aubrey Modiba (South Africa) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.
  • 45'+2': First Half ends, South Africa 1, Zimbabwe 1.
  • 45': Second Half begins South Africa 1, Zimbabwe 1.
  • 45': Substitution, South Africa. Thapelo Morena replaces Elias Mokwana.
  • 45': Substitution, Zimbabwe. Daniel Msendami replaces Douglas Mapfumo.
  • 46': Daniel Msendami (Zimbabwe) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
  • 46': Foul by Khuliso Mudau (South Africa).
  • 48': Attempt saved. Walter Musona (Zimbabwe) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
  • 48': Foul by Daniel Msendami (Zimbabwe).
  • 48': Ronwen Williams (South Africa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 49': Offside, Zimbabwe. Tawanda Chirewa is caught offside.
  • 50': Attempt blocked. Iqraam Rayners (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Sphephelo Sithole.
  • 51': Attempt missed. Thapelo Morena (South Africa) left footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Themba Zwane.
  • 51': Andy Rinomhota (Zimbabwe) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 51': Foul by Teboho Mokoena (South Africa).
  • 52': Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
  • 53': Attempt blocked. Khuliso Mudau (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Thapelo Morena.
  • 53': Offside, South Africa. Iqraam Rayners is caught offside.
  • 55': Goal! South Africa 2, Zimbabwe 1. Thapelo Morena (South Africa) left footed shot from very close range to the high centre of the goal.
  • 56': Offside, South Africa. Iqraam Rayners is caught offside.
  • 60': Foul by Oswin Appollis (South Africa).
  • 60': Marshall Munetsi (Zimbabwe) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 60': Delay in match because of an injury Marshall Munetsi (Zimbabwe).
  • 61': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
  • 63': Corner, South Africa. Conceded by Gerald Takwara.
  • 63': Attempt missed. Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right following a corner.
  • 65': Attempt blocked. Oswin Appollis (South Africa) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Iqraam Rayners.
  • 65': Attempt blocked. Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Iqraam Rayners.
  • 65': Corner, South Africa. Conceded by Gerald Takwara.
  • 66': Corner, South Africa. Conceded by Gerald Takwara.
  • 66': Attempt blocked. Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
  • 66': Corner, South Africa. Conceded by Tawanda Chirewa.
  • 67': Attempt blocked. Siyabonga Ngezana (South Africa) header from very close range is blocked. Assisted by Oswin Appollis with a cross.
  • 67': Corner, South Africa. Conceded by Gerald Takwara.
  • 68': Corner, South Africa. Conceded by Munashe Garananga.
  • 71': Foul by Daniel Msendami (Zimbabwe).
  • 71': Khuliso Mudau (South Africa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 72': Corner, Zimbabwe. Conceded by Khuliso Mudau.
  • 73': Foul by Daniel Msendami (Zimbabwe).
  • 73': Oswin Appollis (South Africa) wins a free kick on the left wing.
  • 74': Divine Lunga (Zimbabwe) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 74': Foul by Sphephelo Sithole (South Africa).
  • 75': Foul by Themba Zwane (South Africa).
  • 75': Richard Hachiro (Zimbabwe) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 76': Goal! South Africa 3, Zimbabwe 1. Thapelo Morena (South Africa) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Oswin Appollis with a through ball following a fast break.
  • 78': Attempt missed. Marshall Munetsi (Zimbabwe) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Tawanda Chirewa.
  • 80': Delay in match (South Africa).
  • 81': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
  • 83': Attempt saved. Oswin Appollis (South Africa) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
  • 84': Foul by Marshall Munetsi (Zimbabwe).
  • 84': Ronwen Williams (South Africa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 84': Delay in match because of an injury Ronwen Williams (South Africa).
  • 86': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
  • 90'+1': Substitution, Zimbabwe. Tymon Machope replaces Walter Musona.
  • 90'+1': Substitution, Zimbabwe. Jordan Zemura replaces Andy Rinomhota.
  • 90'+2': Substitution, Zimbabwe. Tawanda Maswanhise replaces Tawanda Chirewa.
  • 90'+3': Substitution, South Africa. Relebohile Mofokeng replaces Oswin Appollis.
  • 90'+3': Divine Lunga (Zimbabwe) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 90'+3': Foul by Themba Zwane (South Africa).
  • 90'+4': Second Half ends, South Africa 3, Zimbabwe 1.
  • 0': Match ends, South Africa 3, Zimbabwe 1.

Game Information

Competition: FIFA World Cup Qualifying - CAF

Venue: Free State Toyota Stadium
Location: Bloemfontein, South Africa

WCQ - CAF Standings

# TEAM GP GD PTS
1 South Africa 7 +8 16
2 Benin 7 0 11
3 Nigeria 7 +2 10
4 Rwanda 7 -1 8
Full Standings

Line-Ups

RSA South Africa (4-2-3-1)

No. Name
1 Ronwen Williams (GK)
14 Mothobi Mvala
21 Siyabonga Ngezana
6 Aubrey Modiba
20 Khuliso Mudau
11 Themba Zwane
4 Teboho Mokoena Yellow Card
13 Yaya Sithole
5 Iqraam Rayners
7 Oswin Appollis
17 Elias Mokwana
South Africa Substitutes:
Relebohile Ratomo, Patrick Maswanganyi, Spiwe Given Msimango, Nyiko Mobbie, Thapelo Morena, Bathusi Jurry Aubaas, Jayden Adams, Veli Mothwa, Percy Tau, Ricardo Goss, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Lyle Foster.

ZIM Zimbabwe (5-3-2)

No. Name
22 Godfrey Chitsumba (GK)
4 Munashe Garananga
2 Gerald Takwara
14 Godknows Murwira
5 Divine Lunga
18 Walter Tatenda Musona
10 Andy Rinomhota
23 Richard Hachiro
8 Marshall Munetsi
9 Douglas Mapfumo
20 Tawanda Chirewa
Zimbabwe Substitutes:
Shane Maroodza, Daniel Msendami, Joey Phuthi, Tawanda Maswanhise, Tymon Machope, Teenage Hadebe, Martin Mapisa, Tivonge Rushesha, Jordan Zemura, Bernard Donovan, Tino Kadewere.

WCQ - CAF News

2026 World Cup: Who has qualified, and how the rest can make it
2026 World Cup: Who has qualified, and how the rest can make it

The race for the 2026 World Cup is drawing to a close. Here's how it's looking around the globe.

Nigeria's Super Eagles have 'no excuses' to fail at World Cup qualification says Moses Simon
Nigeria's Super Eagles have 'no excuses' to fail at World Cup qualification says Moses Simon

As Nigeria prepare to go into two decisive 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa, forward Moses Simon says the Super Eagles must 'give no excuses' after a series of poor performances.

World Cup qualifying - Nigeria in big trouble, and can Ghana's redemption continue?
World Cup qualifying - Nigeria in big trouble, and can Ghana's redemption continue?

While some of Africa's top teams could secure their places in the USA, Canada and Mexico for next year's FIFA World Cup, other heavyweights are in danger of missing out completely... yes, we're talking about you, Nigeria.

South Africa's Bafana Bafana need vital win against Lesotho as Teboho Mokoena punishment looms
South Africa's Bafana Bafana need vital win against Lesotho as Teboho Mokoena punishment looms

Bafana Bafana will face Lesotho at Bloemfontein's Toyota Stadium (Free State Stadium) on Friday in a vital FIFA World Cup qualifier that is technically an away game - but one they will play on home turf in South Africa.

Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers called up for Nigeria's last-gasp World Cup qualifiers
Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers called up for Nigeria's last-gasp World Cup qualifiers

Rangers forward Cyriel Dessers has been handed a recall to the Nigeria squad on the back of his outstanding 2025 Unity Cup performance, which the Super Eagles won this offseason in London.