Zimbabwe dent Bafana's hopes after resilient display

South Africa were frustrated by a stubborn Zimbabwe side as the two teams drew 0-0 in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualification (Group C) match played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday night.

The result saw Bafana Bafana remain second in the Group C standings, but they are now two points behind leaders Benin with one game left. Bafana will qualify directly for the World Cup if they overcome Rwanda at home and the other results go their way.

The Warriors, on the other hand, remain sixth in the Group C table after registering their fifth draw. Zimbabwe will be determined to wrap up their failed qualifying campaign with a victory over their Southern African rivals, Lesotho, on Monday.

Bafana Bafana controlled the match from the start and they created the better chances with the Warriors under siege. Washington Arubi was called into action in the 26th minute and the Zimbabwe goalkeeper parried away Sipho Mbule's shot.

Arubi was beaten in the 43rd minute by Mohau Nkota's rasping shot, but the ball hit the outside of the upright with the Marumo Gallants star well-beaten. The score was 0-0 at halftime, with South Africa having failed to convert their chances.

South Africa continued to pile pressure on Zimbabwe after the restart as Lyle Foster's effort was cleared off the goal-line in the 53rd minute. The Warriors were then reduced to 10 players in the 62nd minute after Knowledge Musona picked up his second yellow card.

The momentum was with Bafana in the latter stages of the match, but they were just unlucky on the day as Foster's hard and low shot beat Arubi, but the ball hit the upright and the hosts cleared the lines. Teboho Mokoena's attempt was then saved by Arubi in stoppage time.

Ultimately, the match ended in a 0-0 draw with South Africa finishing the match with 10 players after Mbekezeli Mbokazi being sent off in stoppage time, and he will miss Tuesday's must-win game against Rwanda in Mbombela.

Zimbabwe 0

South Africa 0

ZIMBABWE: Arubi, Zemura, Garananga (Jalai 86'), Lunga (W. Musona 86'), Hadebe, Billiat (Antoine 86'), Nakamba (Fabisch 89'), Chirewa (Maswanhise 59'), Munetsi, Musona, Takwara

SOUTH AFRICA: Williams: Mbokazi, Sibisi, Modiba (Makgopa 84'), Mudau, Mokoena, Sithole (Aubaas 46'), Mbule, Nkota (Morena 46'), Apollis (Moremi 80'), Foster