Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda, Zimpapers Sports Hub
FORMER national team striker Zenzo Moyo is foreseeing a tough contest between South Africa and Zimbabwe tonight.
The neighbours will clash in a 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier at Moses Mabhida in Durban.
Kick off is 6PM.
Zimbabwe anchor Group C with no win and are already out of contention for the ticket to the World Cup finals which will be hosted in three counties — United States of America, Canada and Mexico.
South Africa are second and will boost their chances of qualifying with a win against Zimbabwe.
However, Moyo who played for Zimbabwe in the 2000s, believes this match is not 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 always playing for the flag,” said Moyo.
The former Highlanders star is now based in Bulawayo following his retirement from the game.
At his peak, Moyo won the 2000 Castle Lager Soccer Star of the Year award before moving 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,” said Moyo.
The return match ended 3-1 in favour of Bafana Bafana at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on June 11, 2024.
South Africa are now tied with Benin 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 against their rivals South Africa.
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 time the global football showpiece was staged on the African continent.
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 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 have qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals which will be staged in Morocco in December.
They are in the same group as Angola, Egypt and South Africa.
