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Zimbabwe vs South Africa Predictions - Bafana to progress with AFCON victory

John Eastwood

Editor

Last updated: 28 Dec 2025

John Eastwood 28 Dec 2025

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South Africa is predicted to win, with both teams likely to score.
South Africa has lost just once in 24 matches under coach Hugo Broos.
Zimbabwe shows improvement but has only won 2 of their last 19 matches.

Expired

South Africa to beat Zimbabwe on Monday evening (Getty Images).

Zimbabwe vs South Africa Predictions

I see Bafana Bafana winning this match. My tip is BTTS Yes and a win for South Africa.
Zimbabwe vs South Africa Predictions
Key Stats – Goals Tipped as South Africa win
Head to Head – Bafana Bafana Dominate their Neighbours
Zimbabwe Struggling – But Showing Signs of Life
South Africa Doing Well – One loss in 24 under coach Broos
Predicted Lineups & Team News

Key Stats – Goals Tipped as South Africa win

South Africa have won 3 of their last 4 matches vs Zimbabwe.
South Africa are undefeated in 23 of their last 24 matches (excludes B squad internationals).
Zimbabwe have lost 7 of their last 12 matches.
Zimbabwe have seen BTTS Yes in their last 4 matches.

Head to Head – Bafana Bafana Dominate their Neighbours

South Africa holds a 7-2 advantage over Zimbabwe with two draws in ten meetings.

The nations met in a World Cup qualifier in October as it finished in a 0-0 draw.

Zimbabwe Struggling – But Showing Signs of Life

Zimbabwe may only have won two of their last 19 matches, but performances are improving. They can qualify with a win, and have a small chance of progression with a draw here.

In October’s World Cup qualifiers, they fought hard for a 0-0 draw in South Africa despite being outshot 24-6. They lost 1-0 to Lesotho before a 3-1 friendly defeat to Algeria.

They beat Qatar 2-1 to stop the rot. Their AFCON opener saw a 2-1 loss to Egypt with 35 shots allowed, before fighting back from 1-0 down to draw 1-1 vs Angola.

South Africa Doing Well – One loss in 24 under coach Broos

South Africa have lost just once in 24 matches when Hugo Broos has been at the helm. They lost their last match but will progress with a draw here.

After a frustrating 0-0 draw vs Zimbabwe in October, they beat Rwanda 3-0 to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Bafana beat Zambia 3-1 and Ghana’s B squad 1-0 in two pre-tournament friendlies.

This tournament started with a 2-1 win over Angola. They lost 1-0 to Egypt in their second match despite facing ten men for the entire second half and producing 17 shots after half time.

Predicted Lineups & Team News

Zimbabwe: (4-2-3-1): Arubi; Murwira, Garananga, Takwara, Hadebe; Nakamba, Fabisch; Msendami, Musona, Antonio; Bonne.

Coach Mario Marinica made a few changes to his XI against Angola. Knowledge Musona was recalled and scored the equaliser.

Teenage Hadebe went off injured in the last match. He could be replaced at centre back by Plymouth Argyle’s Brendon Galloway.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi), Martin Mapisa (MWOS FC).

Defenders: Godknows Murwira (Scottland), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos FC), Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Gerald Takwara (Al Ittihad Misurata), Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora), Brendon Galloway (Plymouth Argyle), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati), Alec Mudimu (Flint Town United), Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns).

Midfielders: Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town), Jonah Fabisch (Erzgebirg Aue), Andy Rinomhota (Reading), Prosper Padera (SJK Seinajoki), Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Knowledge Musona (Scottland)

Forwards: Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen), Ishmael Wadi (CAPS United), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants), Prince Dube (Young Africans), Washington Navaya (TelOne FC), Macauley Bonne (Maldon & Tiptree), Junior Zindoga (TS Galaxy), Tadiwanashe Chakuchichi (Scottland).

South Africa (4-5-1): Williams; Mudau, Ngezana, Mbokazi, Modiba; Sithole, Mokoena; Appollis, Mbule, Mofekeng; Foster.

Coach Hugo Broos is expected to recall Sipho Mbule as his number ten. Rele Mofokeng is pushing for a start down the flank.

No other changes are expected. There may be a temptation to freshen up the team with centre back Nkosinathi Sibisi.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns).

Defenders: Samukele Kabini (Molde), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Siyabonga Ngezana (Steaua Bucharest), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers).

Midfielders: Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalenthe Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates).

Forwards: Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge), Lyle Foster (Burnley), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Elias Mokwana (Al Hazem), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Mohau Nkota (Al Ettifaq).

Verdict

Zimbabwe v South Africa

I'm backing BTTS Yes in a win for South Africa.

South Africa Win

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