Zimbabwe vs South Africa Starting Lineup, Live Score

Preview, Starting lineup for Zimbabwe National Football Team vs South Africa National Football Team, Timeline and live score results for this CAF WC Africa Qualification Group stage match. The match is taking place on October 10, with kickoff scheduled for 16:00 UTC.

Zimbabwe vs South Africa Lineup And Live Score

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🇿🇼 Zimbabwe Substitutes:

Mapisa, Chipezeze, Fabisch, Maswanhise, Dzvukamanja, Jalai, Dube, Ngwenya, W. Musona, Galloway, Antonio, Murwira

🇿🇦 South Africa (Bafana Bafana) Substitutes:

Chaine, Goss, Khoza, Ndamane, Mbatha, Moremi, Shabalala, Matuludi, Makgopa, Aubaas, Kabini, Morena

FIFA World Cup African qualifiers Matches Results

Match Preview

Anticipation is high as the two sides meet just four months after their COSAFA Cup clash, which ended in a 2-0 victory for South Africa National Football Team. Zimbabwe enter this match struggling for form, coming off defeats to Rwanda and Benin, leaving them winless in their last three games. Their best chance of turning things around may lie in tightening their defense, as they have conceded goals in six consecutive matches and have struggled to keep a clean sheet.

South Africa, on the other hand, head into the game in better shape, having drawn with Nigeria on September 9, extending their unbeaten run to six matches.

Predicted Bafana Bafana XI

Goalkeeper:

• Ronwen Williams (#1) – Experienced shot-stopper and a commanding presence in goal.

Defenders:

• Nyiko Mobbie (#2) – Versatile full-back with pace and defensive awareness.

• Thabo Moloisane (#3) – Strong center-back known for aerial ability.

• Mbekezeli Mbokazi (#14) – Reliable defender with solid tackling skills.

• Aubrey Modiba (#6) – Dynamic defender capable of contributing to attacks.

Midfielders:

• Teboho Mokoena (#4) – Defensive midfielder who breaks up opposition plays.

• Thalente Mbatha (#5) – Creative midfielder, linking defense to attack.

• Mohau Nkota (#23) – Central midfielder with strong passing range.

• Sipho Mbule (#17) – Box-to-box midfielder, energetic and tactically aware.

• Oswin Appollis (#7) – Playmaker capable of unlocking defenses.

Attacker:

• Lyle Foster (#9) – Key forward with pace and finishing ability, a major threat up front.

Also check: Lesotho vs South Africa Lineups, Results Live Score

Predicted Starting Lineup for Zimbabwe National Football Team

Goalkeeper

• Washington Arubi (#22) – Veteran goalkeeper with leadership experience and strong shot-stopping ability.

Defenders

• Emmanuel Jalai (#23) – Solid defender with good positional sense.

• Divine Lunga (#5) – Experienced center-back, tough in tackles.

• Munashe Garananga (#4) – Physical defender, strong in aerial duels.

• Jordan Zemura (#3) – Agile full-back, contributes to both defense and attack.

• Teenage Hadebe (#15) – Commanding presence in central defense, key for organizing the backline.

Midfielders

• Tawanda Chirewa (#20) – Dynamic midfielder, supports both defensive and attacking plays.

• Marvelous Nakamba (#18) – Defensive midfield anchor, excellent at breaking up opposition attacks.

• Knowledge Musona (#17) – Creative midfielder with attacking flair.

• Tino Kadewere (#11) – Skilled playmaker, links midfield to attack effectively.

Attackers

• Tawanda Maswanhise (#19) – Young forward with pace and goal-scoring potential.

Also check: Benin vs Zimbabwe Lineups, Results

Head-to-Head Records:

The teams have clashed four times since September 2021, with South Africa winning three and one match ending in a draw. Their most recent meeting was on June 7, 2025, in the COSAFA Cup, where South Africa triumphed 2-0. Across these four encounters, Zimbabwe have scored once, while South Africa have found the net six times, giving the visitors a clear edge in recent history.

World Cup Africa Qualification Group Stage Form

Zimbabwe National Football Team have struggled this season in the Africa Qualification Group Stage, failing to win any of their eight matches, with four draws and four losses. They have scored five goals (0.63 per match) and conceded eleven (1.38 per match).

South Africa National Football Team, meanwhile, have enjoyed a stronger campaign: five wins, two draws, and one defeat in eight matches, scoring fourteen goals (1.75 per match) and conceding only six (0.75 per match).

Overall, Zimbabwe are on a two-game losing streak, while South Africa’s most recent outing was a draw with Nigeria. Across their last twenty games, Zimbabwe have managed three wins, nine losses, and eight draws, whereas South Africa have recorded nine wins, two losses, and nine draws.

AI Prediction

Our AI model predicts South Africa National Football Team as the favorites, with a 53% chance of victory, while a draw stands at 30% and a Zimbabwe National Football Team win at 17%. The AI will continuously update its forecast as the game progresses.

Live data provided by scoreaxis