The penultimate round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers kicks off on Friday, 10 October, with Bafana Bafana needing victories in their final games to secure a place at next year’s tournament. Already eliminated from contention, Zimbabwe have little more than pride to play for — but the Warriors will be eager to spoil their neighbours’ qualification party. Let’s have a look at the best bets and a prediction for this massive clash.
ALSO READ: Ousmane Dembele Wins First Ballon d’Or as PSG & Barca Dominate Awards Night.
Betting Preview
To say Zimbabwe’s qualifying campaign has been disappointing would be putting it mildly, the Warriors are yet to win in eight matches and will finish bottom of Group C regardless of their remaining results.
Head coach Michael Nees, appointed in September last year, has managed just one victory in nine games. While five draws in that period show some resilience, his side’s lack of cutting edge has been costly.
14.00
Zimbabwe vs South Africa
Zimbabwe
Match Result
Odds are subject to change.
Bet Here
South Africa, meanwhile, have only themselves to blame for their current position. FIFA docked Bafana Bafana three points for fielding suspended midfielder Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho in March, overturning a win into a 3-0 loss. That blunder has left them level on points with Benin and only three ahead of Nigeria, turning what once looked like a comfortable qualification run into a tense finish.
5.20
Zimbabwe vs South Africa
Draw
Match result
Odds are subject to change.
Bet Here
Still, Hugo Broos’s men remain unbeaten in seven and should back themselves to extend that run against their neighbours, especially with the match being played at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium, technically a “home” game for Zimbabwe but one expected to be packed with South African fans and vuvuzelas.
1.26
Zimbabwe vs South Africa
South Africa
Match Result
Odds are subject to change.
Bet Here
Adding to Zimbabwe’s woes, assistant coach Takesure Chiragwi resigned after a disciplinary incident at club level, leaving Nees with a depleted technical team ahead of a clash against opponents who have beaten them three times in a row.
Recent Form & Stats
- In their head-to-head encounters since 2008, South Africa have won 6, Zimbabwe 2, and 2 matches ended in draws.
- In matches between the two, the average goals per match is 2.44.
- In more recent qualifiers, South Africa beat Zimbabwe 3-1 in the June 2024 World Cup Qualifier fixture.
- In the last 7 matchups, Zimbabwe have won just 2.
Best Bets & Prediction
Prediction: South Africa to win at 1.26.
Best Bet: South Africa to win & over 1.5 total goals at 1.52.
Alternative Bet: South Africa to win to nil at 1.64.
