Bafana Bafana will be battling for a spot against Zimbabwe tonight at Moses Mabhida Stadium during 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Picture Credit: X
By Aisha Zardad
Durban: On Friday, October 10, the penultimate matchday of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers will see South Africa in urgent need of victory as they strive to secure a spot in next year’s tournament. With their qualification hopes hanging in the balance, the stakes couldn’t be higher for the Bafana Bafana.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s warriors find themselves eliminated from contention for the global event, but they are eager to disrupt their neighbors’ aspirations.
Characterizing Zimbabwe’s qualifying campaign as disappointing would be quite the understatement, as the Warriors have failed to muster a single win in their eight matches to date.
Irrespective of the outcomes in their final two fixtures, Zimbabwe will conclude this qualifying phase at the bottom of Group C, a dismal position for head coach Michael Nees to navigate.
Taking charge in September of last year, the German coach has overseen a tumultuous period, achieving just one win in nine outings. However, five draws in that span suggest a glimmer of hope that they might challenge South Africa.
A noteworthy aspect of this matchup is that Zimbabwe will be officially the home team, despite the game taking place at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa, adding a unique twist to the encounter.
In terms of coaching dynamics, Nees will be facing this crucial match with a slightly altered setup, as his assistant, Takesure Chiragwi, recently resigned following an unfortunate incident where he slapped a player during club duties.
This kind of upheaval isn’t what the ‘hosts’ require as they prepare to face an opponent against whom they have suffered three consecutive defeats. The pressure is on for Zimbabwe to deliver a competitive performance and potentially spoil their rivals’ ambitions.
Zimbabwe head coach Michael Nees says their main priority today is not to spoil anyone’s party but to produce a good result for their nation’s pride.
The Warriors take on Bafana Bafana in their penultimate 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, with Zimbabwe already out of contention for a spot in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
But Bafana are desperate for points and need to secure victory in their last two matches, with goal difference also a factor, and Nees says Bafana will have to fight for their desired result.
“Bafana is, of course, in a good position to qualify, but four teams can still qualify and it’s their responsibility to deal with that situation,” said Nees.
