South Africa’s push for a spot on the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been given one more enhance; this time, because of Zimbabwe.
The Warriors have confirmed that their penultimate Group C qualifier in opposition to Bafana Bafana will happen on the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, successfully handing South Africa a seventh residence fixture out of 10.
The Zimbabwe Soccer Affiliation (ZIFA) introduced the choice on its official X deal with:
“The Zimbabwe Soccer Affiliation needs to tell followers that the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier in opposition to South Africa on October 10 can be performed on the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa.”
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Zimbabwe’s stadium woes
Zimbabwe’s residence benefit has been stripped away all through the qualifiers after FIFA imposed a stadium ban on the nation as a result of insufficient security requirements. Because of this, the Warriors have needed to stage their “residence” video games on South African soil—splitting fixtures between Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg and Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
There have been makes an attempt to shift the conflict in opposition to South Africa to Botswana to create a extra fan-friendly atmosphere for Zimbabwean supporters.
Nevertheless, the Botswana Soccer Affiliation confirmed that the Francistown Sports activities Advanced was unavailable, forcing ZIFA to settle as soon as once more for Durban.
This implies Bafana Bafana, who already had 5 designated residence video games in Group C, additionally benefited from Lesotho staging their “residence” tie in South Africa earlier within the marketing campaign. Now Zimbabwe’s concession provides one more layer of consolation for Hugo Broos’ aspect.
The numbers recreation
South Africa’s Bafana Bafana are presently on the high of Group C with 17 factors—three away from Benin and 6 forward of Nigeria, with simply two rounds remaining.
The trail to qualification is of their fingers: beat Zimbabwe and Rwanda (each technically “at residence”), and they’re going to seal their ticket to the World Cup.
However whereas the fixture listing seems to favour Bafana Bafana, uncertainty lingers within the background. Midfield normal Teboho Mokoena, who acquired two yellow playing cards earlier than South Africa’s 2-0 win in opposition to Lesotho in March, is beneath FIFA scrutiny.
The governing physique confirmed final week that it’s investigating his eligibility.
If FIFA finds South Africa responsible, they might face a factors deduction and forfeit the Lesotho match as a 3-0 loss; a ruling that would reshape the standings solely.
Zimbabwe out, Nigeria nonetheless hoping
For Zimbabwe, the Durban conflict is a lifeless rubber. The Warriors have endured a torrid run within the qualifiers, languishing on the backside of Group C with simply 4 factors. With nothing left to play for however pleasure, their position now might be decisive in shaping which African giants make it to the worldwide stage.
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South Africa will shut their marketing campaign in opposition to Rwanda at residence, whereas Nigeria face a trickier path—an away conflict in opposition to Lesotho and a house duel with Benin.
The Tremendous Eagles, six factors adrift, should win each and hope Bafana Bafana stumble in both of their “residence comforts.”
The stakes are excessive, the margins slim, and Group C might but be determined not simply on the pitch, however within the corridors of FIFA’s disciplinary committee.
