Zimbabwe vs South Africa: Prediction, Lineups, Kickoff Time | AFCON 2025

On: December 26, 2025 2:38 PM

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Zimbabwe vs South Africa — Match Preview

The “Limpopo Derby” takes center stage at the Stade de Marrakech on Monday, 29 December 2025. This Group B clash is a must-win for Zimbabwe, who sit 3rd with 0 points after a heartbreaking 1–2 defeat to Egypt in their opener. The Warriors showed fight but lacked the defensive discipline to hold off the Pharaohs. South Africa, currently top of the group with 3 points, arrive in high spirits after a 2–1 victory over Angola. A win here would all but secure Bafana Bafana’s place in the Round of 16, while Zimbabwe knows another defeat could end their tournament dreams prematurely.

Zimbabwe vs South Africa — Match Info

Competition: Africa Cup of Nations 2025 (Group Stage – Matchday 2)
Venue: Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech (Capacity: 45,240)
Date: Monday, 29 December 2025
Kickoff: 20:00 GMT | 21:00 WAT | 22:00 SAST
Referee: TBC (CAF Appointment)

Zimbabwe vs South Africa — Match Stakes

Zimbabwe (3rd — 0 pts):

Win → Moves to 3 pts; revives hopes of qualification (Top 2 or Best 3rd)
Draw → Keeps them alive mathematically, but leaves them needing a win in the final game
Loss → Disaster; likely elimination if Egypt also wins their match

South Africa (1st — 3 pts):

Win → Moves to 6 pts; guarantees qualification to the Knockout Stages
Draw → Keeps them top/second; a solid result in a derby
Loss → Drops them into a dogfight for qualification on the final matchday

Zimbabwe vs South Africa — Team News

Zimbabwe:

Nakamba M. — Available (Captain & Midfield Anchor)
Kadewere T. — Available (Key Goal Threat)
Zemura J. — Available (Serie A experience crucial)
Hadebe T. — Questionable (Knock vs Egypt)
Defensive Worries: The backline struggled against Egypt’s pace; changes may be made to tighten up.

South Africa:

Williams R. — Available (Captain & GK)
Foster L. — Available (Scored winner vs Angola)
Tau P. — Available (Creative hub)
Mokoena T. — Available (Midfield engine)
Full Strength: Hugo Broos is expected to name an unchanged XI to maintain momentum.

Zimbabwe vs South Africa — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)

Zimbabwe

23/12 — 1–2 vs Egypt (AFCON)
17/11 — 2–1 vs Qatar (Friendly)
13/11 — 1–3 vs Algeria (Friendly)
13/10 — 0–1 vs Lesotho (WC Qualifier)
10/10 — 0–0 vs South Africa (WC Qualifier)

South Africa

22/12 — 2–1 vs Angola (AFCON)
16/12 — 1–0 vs Ghana B (Friendly)
15/11 — 3–1 vs Zambia (Friendly)
14/10 — 3–0 vs Rwanda (WC Qualifier)
10/10 — 0–0 vs Zimbabwe (WC Qualifier)

Zimbabwe vs South Africa — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)

10/10/2025 — Zimbabwe 0–0 South Africa (WC Qualifier)
07/06/2025 — South Africa 2–0 Zimbabwe (COSAFA Cup)
11/06/2024 — South Africa 3–1 Zimbabwe (WC Qualifier)
12/11/2021 — South Africa 1–0 Zimbabwe (WC Qualifier)
03/09/2021 — Zimbabwe 0–0 South Africa (WC Qualifier)

Zimbabwe vs South Africa — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)

Zimbabwe (4-3-3)

Arubi; Lunga, Garananga, Hadebe, Zemura; Nakamba, Munetsi, Rinomhota; Billiat, Kadewere, Musona

South Africa (4-2-3-1)

Williams; Mudau, Mvala, Xulu, Modiba; Mokoena, Sithole; Tau, Zwane, Appollis; Foster

Zimbabwe vs South Africa — Impact Bench

Zimbabwe: Dube (Pace off the bench), Rusike (Experience)

South Africa: Mayambela (Dribbling skill), Rayners (Clinical finisher)

Zimbabwe vs South Africa — Tactical Analysis

Zimbabwe

The Warriors will likely sit deep and try to absorb South Africa’s pressure, relying on the ball-winning abilities of Marvelous Nakamba and Marshall Munetsi. Their transition speed is key; they must release Tino Kadewere early to expose South Africa’s high defensive line. However, their lack of goals in this fixture (0 in the last 2 competitive meetings) is a major psychological hurdle.

South Africa

Bafana Bafana play a possession-based game heavily influenced by the Mamelodi Sundowns core. They will look to control the tempo through Teboho Mokoena and Themba Zwane. Their patience is their strength, but they must be wary of Zimbabwe’s physicality on set-pieces. Percy Tau’s movement from the right flank will be crucial to unlocking a stubborn Zimbabwean low block.

Zimbabwe vs South Africa — Key Battles

Nakamba vs Mokoena — Premier League grit vs PSL flair in midfield
Zemura vs Tau — Udinese defender tasked with stopping SA’s star man
Kadewere vs Mvala — Pace vs physical defending
Williams vs The Occasion — SA captain needs to organize his defense in a heated derby

Zimbabwe vs South Africa — Spotlight Players

Zimbabwe — Marshall Munetsi

The Reims midfielder is the engine of this team. If Zimbabwe are to get anything from this game, Munetsi needs to dominate the midfield battle and drive the team forward.

South Africa — Lyle Foster

The Burnley striker is in red-hot form. His hold-up play and clinical finishing make him the most dangerous player on the pitch. Zimbabwe’s defenders cannot afford to give him an inch of space.

Zimbabwe vs South Africa — Prediction

Zimbabwe 0–2 South Africa

South Africa are currently the more cohesive unit with better form (unbeaten in 5) and a superior head-to-head record. Zimbabwe often struggles to score against their neighbors. Expect Bafana Bafana to control possession and eventually break down the Warriors’ resistance to book their spot in the next round.