![FIFA World Cup Qualifying - CAF](https://a3.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/leaguelogos/soccer/500/63.png&w=40&h=40)
South Africa vs Zimbabwe 2026 World Cup Qualifying - CAF, Group Stage
3 - 1
Introduction
Match Commentary
- 1': Goal! South Africa 1, Zimbabwe 0. Iqraam Rayners (South Africa) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner.
- 2': Goal! South Africa 1, Zimbabwe 1. Tawanda Chirewa (Zimbabwe) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Marshall Munetsi.
- 45': Substitution, Zimbabwe. Daniel Msendami replaces Douglas Mapfumo.
- 45': Substitution, South Africa. Thapelo Morena replaces Elias Mokwana.
- 52': Teboho Mokoena (South Africa) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 55': Goal! South Africa 2, Zimbabwe 1. Thapelo Morena (South Africa) left footed shot from very close range to the high centre of the goal.
- 76': Goal! South Africa 3, Zimbabwe 1. Thapelo Morena (South Africa) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Oswin Appollis with a through ball following a fast break.
- 90'+1': Substitution, Zimbabwe. Tymon Machope replaces Walter Musona.
- 90'+1': Substitution, Zimbabwe. Jordan Zemura replaces Andy Rinomhota.
- 90'+2': Substitution, Zimbabwe. Tawanda Maswanhise replaces Tawanda Chirewa.
- 90'+3': Substitution, South Africa. Relebohile Mofokeng replaces Oswin Appollis.
- 90'+4': Second Half ends, South Africa 3, Zimbabwe 1.
Game Information
Venue: Free State Toyota Stadium
Location: Bloemfontein, South Africa
FIFA World Cup Qualifying - CAF Standings
POS | TEAM | GP | GD | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|
+2 | Rwanda | 4 | 7 | 1 |
+1 | South Africa | 4 | 7 | 1 |
+1 | Benin | 4 | 7 | 1 |
+1 | Lesotho | 4 | 5 | 1 |
Statistics
![]() |
RSA![]() |
|
---|---|---|
10 | Fouls | 10 |
0 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
0 | Red Cards | 0 |
1 | Offsides | 3 |
2 | Corner Kicks | 12 |
5 | Saves | 2 |
32.3 | Possession | 67.7 |
6 | SHOTS | 26 |
3 | ON GOAL | 8 |
0.5 | On Target % | 0.3 |
0 | Penalty Goals | 0 |
0 | Penalty Kicks Taken | 0 |
241 | Accurate Passes | 575 |
306 | Passes | 622 |
0.8 | Pass Completion % | 0.9 |
0 | Accurate Crosses | 5 |
3 | Crosses | 29 |
0.0 | Cross % | 0.2 |
45 | Long Balls | 37 |
13 | Accurate Long Balls | 23 |
0.3 | Long Balls % | 0.6 |
1 | Blocked Shots | 13 |
9 | Effective Tackles | 5 |
20 | Tackles | 12 |
0.5 | Tackle % | 0.4 |
6 | Interceptions | 4 |
30 | Effective Clearances | 11 |
30 | Clearances | 11 |
South Africa (4-2-3-1)
No. | Name |
---|---|
1 | Ronwen Williams (GK) |
14 | Mothobi Mvala |
21 | Siyabonga Ngezana |
6 | Aubrey Modiba |
20 | Khuliso Mudau |
11 | Themba Zwane |
4 | Teboho Mokoena ![]() |
13 | Sphephelo Sithole |
5 | Iqraam Rayners |
7 | Oswin Appollis |
17 | Elias Mokwana |
Zimbabwe (5-3-2)
No. | Name |
---|---|
22 | Godfrey Chitsumba (GK) |
4 | Munashe Garananga |
2 | Gerald Takwara |
14 | Murwira Godknows |
5 | Divine Lunga |
18 | Walter Tatenda Musona |
10 | Andy Rinomhota |
23 | Richard Hachiro |
8 | Marshall Munetsi |
9 | Douglas Mapfumo |
20 | Tawanda Chirewa |
WCQ - CAF News
2026 World Cup: How nations from around the world can qualify
The race for the 2026 World Cup has begun in earnest. Here's how it's looking around the globe.
Finidi George had to 'park by the roadside' when he heard about Nigeria job change
Former Nigeria coach Finidi George, who resigned from the Super Eagles job on the weekend, told ESPN he heard about the NFF's decision to hire a foreign technical advisor after they'd had a three-hour meeting with him and failed to mention it.
Nigeria to hire foreign technical director after poor World Cup qualifiers
Former Super Eagles star Finidi George was Nigeria's top boss for little over a month before getting demoted, after a poor World Cup qualifying week that saw them draw and lose their two fixtures.
What's next for Nigeria, and mighty Morocco, in WC qualifying?
The international break was an intriguing one for Africa's team as they hunt for 2026 World Cup qualification, with Nigeria doing themselves no favours, Morocco doing the most, and a Gabon return for Aubameyang.
Morocco stay perfect in World Cup qualification, Zambia stumble
Striker Ayoub El Kaabi netted a hat trick as Morocco stormed to a 6-0 win over Congo in World Cup qualification on Tuesday, maintaining their 100% start to the African preliminaries for the 2026 finals in North America.