Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
BEATING South Africa will not revive the Warriors’ failed bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup but veteran midfielder Khama Billiat knows it will bring loads of positives to the table for Zimbabwe.
The Warriors, still without a CAF-certified home venue, “host” Bafana Bafana in the penultimate World Cup qualifier at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa tomorrow evening.
They are win-less in eight qualifiers, which kicked off in November 2023 and sit at the base of Group C with only four points, five behind Lesotho who are second from bottom.
In a delicate group, only Zimbabwe are out of contention for a place in North America at this stage with their “guests” tomorrow still the favourites to bounce back and clinch the sole ticket in the six-team pool.
South Africa were, however, pegged back by an administrative gaffe that saw them being docked three of their points which were forfeited to Lesotho on a 3-0 for using an ineligible player in their match against the Crocodiles.
Resultantly Bafana Bafana slipped into second on 14 points, the same as surprise packages Benin, who have a superior goal difference over them.
Zimbabwe will care less for that as Billiat said the Warriors are determined to win Southern Africa’s biggest derby showdown, especially after being humiliated when they meekly fell 1-3 in the reverse tie at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein in June last year.
With the eyes now firmly anchored on making an impression at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in December, coach Michael Nees and assistant Kaitano Tembo know that these are the kind of matches that could give them the kind of test they badly need.
Interestingly, Zimbabwe and South Africa will be in the same group at the Nations Cup along with North African giants and AFCON record winners Egypt and COSAFA rivals Angola.
Thus tomorrow’s clash will also serve as a dress rehearsal of the two teams’ December 29 AFCON Group B showdown at Marrakech Grand Stadium, Marrakech in Morocco.
And it will be interesting to see how an under-pressure Bafana Bafana side showcases themselves against a Warriors outfit seeking their first win in these qualifiers.
Billiat knows the South African terrain quite well having spent most of his playing career in the South African league and he is a player the South Africans will always pay attention to.
His last outing against them in Warriors colours came in November 2021 when Zimbabwe lost 0-1 at the FNB Stadium in a 2022 World Cup qualifier.
A match later, the talismanic forward walked off the international stage only to make a U-turn in September last year after being talked out of retirement by Nees.
The Warriors’ chemistry is one thing that impresses Billiat a lot ahead of the Bafana Bafana assignment.
“Yeah, the chemistry is good. I think the most important thing is to gel together in a very short space of time and I think so, far so good.
“Yeah, our sessions have been great so far and we’ve been focusing on moving the ball and getting the legs going and I think we’re gradually getting there and the guys are ready.
“And of course we still have a few days left and we should be ready.
“Definitely, I think the guys are gelling very well and we’re training very well. We’re looking good and the combinations are good and it’s just that we just need to keep focusing,’’ Billiat said.
Billiat has recovered from injury to return to the Warriors fold, having missed last month’s matches against Benin and Rwanda. He was omitted due to injury concerns and Zimbabwe lost both games, losing by identical 0-1 margins to Benin in Côte d’Ivoire and to Rwanda at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.
Interestingly, Billiat hasn’t lost a 2026 World Cup qualifier as the only games he was involved in ended in draws against Nigeria (1-1) and Benin (2-2) in March.
The former Ajax Cape Town, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs man bring with him an X factor against familiar foes when the Warriors go into battle against their old rivals tomorrow.
“We’re together and we trust everyone who is here and follow what the coach wants us to do so that we can be ready on the day.”
He also appreciated the support which the Warriors have been getting despite their failure to produce the results.
“All the Zimbabweans that are here in South Africa and all over the world, we just want to thank you guys for the support that you have been giving.
“You guys have been amazing and we’re looking forward to having you make it to the game and just wish you to be safe on the road and wherever you’re travelling from to come and support the nation.”
The Warriors last won a match on October 14 last year when they beat Namibia 3-1 in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
They have especially been miserable in the World qualifiers where they have scored just five times while conceding 11 goals.
Peter Tanyanyiwa