Zimbabwe vs South Africa: AFCON prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds

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Evening Standard

·28. Dezember 2025

Zimbabwe vs South Africa: AFCON prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds

The two nations meet just two months on from their goalless draw in World Cup qualification

South Africa will look to confirm a place in the Africa Cup of Nations knockout phase when they face Zimbabwe.

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Bafana Bafana go into their final group game knowing victory will be enough to qualify for the round of 16 as runners-up to Egypt. A draw could be enough depending on what happens elsewhere.

Having beaten Angola in their opening fixture of the tournament, Hugo Broos’ side, controversially beaten by Egypt last time out, just have to match whatever the Red Devils do in the other game.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, have the chance to make history on their seventh appearance at AFCON by reaching the knockout stage for the first time.

For that to happen, Mario Marincia’s side must beat South Africa and hope for a favour from Egypt against Angola.

Date, kick-off time and venue

Zimbabwe vs South Africa is scheduled for a 4pm GMT kick-off on Monday, December 29, 2025.

The match will take place at the Marrakesh Stadium.

Where to watch Zimbabwe vs South Africa

Every match of the tournament will be broadcast across Channel 4’s network.

Live stream: UK viewers will be able to stream the gameson the Channel 4 Sport YouTube. Coverage is scheduled to start right before kick-off at 4pm GMT.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog!

Zimbabwe vs South Africa team news

Teenage Hadebe is absent for Zimbabwe after picking up an injury in the draw with Angola. His replacement that day, Brendan Galloway, is expected to be handed a start in an otherwise unchanged back four.

Prince Dube and Knowledge Musona will be looking to deliver the goods as the Warriors hope to pip South Africa to a place in the round of 16.

After making two changes to the team that beat Angola, Broos could hand recalls to Mohau Nkotaba and Sipho Mbule as Bafana Bafana are expected to be on the front foot in Marrakesh.

Despite a quiet outing against Egypt, Lyle Foster is expected to lead South Africa’s attack once again, while captain Ronwen Williams continues in between the posts.

Leading the line: Lyle Foster

AFP via Getty Images

Zimbabwe vs South Africa prediction

South Africa did more than enough to earn at least a point against ten-man Egypt last time out and were ultimately left frustrated by some controversial refererring decisions.

Though, this fixture is difficult to predict given the stakes. Zimbabwe will be more than happy to let Bafana Bafana have the ball and hit them on the counter, but we think a lack of quality in attack will be their downfall.

South Africa to win, 2-1.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

The two nations will be very familiar with each other having been in the same CAF qualifying group for the World Cup. Bafana Bafana took four points of Zimbabwe en route to topping the group ahead of Nigeria.

Zimbabwe wins: 7

South Africa wins: 8

Draws: 4