Bafana Bafana’s sights are set on last 16 qualification.
The showdown against the Warriors will be on Monday, 26 December, with kick-off set for 18:00.
After a short trip to Agadir to face Egypt, Bafana Bafana head back to the Stade Marrakech.
AFCON 2025: WHAT BAFANA BAFANA VS ZIMBABWE
First two matches in group B
Hugo Broos’ step into the third and last group match after a mixed start. The Afcon run kicked off with a 2-1 win over Angola, followed by a narrow 1-0 defeat to Egypt.
Those results, together with Zimbabwe and Angola’s 1-1 draw against each other, leave both Bafana Bafana and Angola with chances to advance.
How can Bafana Bafana qualify for the last 16?
A win for South Africa over Zimbabwe guarantees progression to the last 16, or if they draw and Angola fail to beat Egypt.
A draw for Mzansi and a win for Angola will leave both sides on four points.
Goal difference will likely favour Bafana Bafana, but a defeat against Zimbabwe would almost certainly eliminate Broos’ team.
Broos and his players will know better than to take anything for granted.
This is Afcon football, margins are thin, pressure is heavy, and one moment can flip a tournament.
RECENT MEETINGS
There is recent history between the two sides. South Africa and Zimbabwe met twice in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The first game was a 0-0 draw away from home before Bafana claimed a clean 3-1 win on home soil. Those results will offer confidence.
Zimbabwean players with Mzansi experience
What adds spice to the game is the familiarity within the Zimbabwe squad. Several players either ply their trade in South Africa now or have done so in the past.
Goalkeeper Washington Arubi plays his football for Marumo Gallants in Bloemfontein, while Divine Lunga plays in Tshwane for Mamelodi Sundowns.
Elvis Chipezeze wears his club football gloves for Magesi FC, and Junior Zindonga lives in Mbombela, where he plays for TS Galaxy.
Knowledge Musona and Teenage Hadebe formerly played for Kaizer Chiefs, and Prince Dube starred for SuperSport United.
For Bafana Bafana, the ambition should be simple: qualify for the last 16 with a win to show that winning bronze in the previous Afcon in 2023 was no fluke.
