Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER national team striker Zenzo Moyo is foreseeing a tough contest between South Africa and Zimbabwe tonight.
Kick-off 6pm
The Southern African rivals will clash in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at Moses Mabhida in Durban.
Zimbabwe anchor Group C with no win and are already out of contention for the pool’s sole ticket to the World Cup finals which will be hosted in three counties – United States of America, Canada and Mexico.
But South Africa are still in with a chance to advance to the finals.
Bafana Bafana are second and will boost their chances of qualifying with a win against Zimbabwe.
However, for former Highlanders striker Moyo, who played for Zimbabwe in the 2000s, there is everything to play for in this encounter, which he argues cannot be downgraded to a dead rubber.
“This is a very important match for us a nation.
“Besides, there is no dead rubber at national team level because you are always playing for the flag,” said Moyo.
The former Highlanders star is now based in Bulawayo where he has ventured into the game’s administration following his retirement.
At his peak, Moyo won the 2000 Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year award while still at Bosso.
He then secured a move to Europe where he played in Cyprus and Greece.
“The boys have to treat the game against South Africa with the seriousness that it deserves.
“This is the Limpopo derby, it’s a rivalry that has existed for years, so I am foreseeing a very good contest,” added Moyo.
Zimbabwe have been on the losing end of most of their meetings with South Africa.
Bafana Bafana triumphed 3-1 in the reverse fixture of these Group C qualifiers the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on June 11, 2024.
Yet Zimbabwe could severely dent South Africa’s World Cup hopes with a rare victory for coach Michael Nees and his men.
Bafana Bafana, who had looked to be comfortably sitting on pole position slipped into second place behind Benin despite both sides being tied on 14 points.
They relinquished top spot after they were docked three points for using a suspended player, Tebogo Mokoena, in their match against Lesotho in March.
Zimbabwe have four points from four draws and are hoping to register their first win of the campaign tonight.
While the Warriors have never qualified for the World Cup finals, Bafana Bafana are targeting a fourth appearance.
They made their maiden appearance in 1998 before repeating the feat in 2002.
South Africa then hosted the 2010 World Cup, the first only time the global football showpiece has been staged in Africa.
A massive 10 points separate South Africa and Zimbabwe in Group C.
After playing South Africa, Zimbabwe will then wrap up their World Cup qualifying campaign against Lesotho at Peter Mokaba in Polokwane on Tuesday.
“These are the games that we should also use to gauge ourselves ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
“Remember we will also play against South Africa at those finals,” said Moyo.
Zimbabwe and South Africa will be in Group B along with Egypt and Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco in December.
Egypt secured their passage to the World Cup on Wednesday.
