Bafana Bafana host their southern neighbours, Zambia, in an international friendly at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday. With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations just around the corner, coach Hugo Broos has emphasised that there are no “warm-up games” at this stage: every result matters. Let’s look at the best bets and a prediction for this encounter.
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Last month, South Africa secured their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after finishing top of Group C in the African qualifiers. Bafana Bafana faced a tense finish to the campaign, a goalless draw with Zimbabwe on 10 October briefly put their qualification in doubt, but they responded perfectly four days later, beating Rwanda 3-0 to book their ticket to the global showpiece.
1.99
South Africa vs Zambia
South Africa
Match Result
Odds are subject to change.
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Across the qualifiers, South Africa recorded five wins, three draws and two losses, the latter total including the overturned result against Lesotho for fielding the ineligible Teboho Mokoena.
Zambia’s road to qualification was far bumpier. Chipolopolo managed just three wins and suffered five defeats from eight matches. They edged Tanzania 1-0 in their penultimate fixture before closing their campaign with a 1-0 home loss to Niger.
3.40
South Africa vs Zambia
Draw
Match result
Odds are subject to change.
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The team now begins a new chapter under coach Moses Sichone, who replaced Avram Grant at the end of October. Grant’s near three-year tenure ended in frustration, with Zambia losing three consecutive home matches without scoring.
Both nations will feature at the 2025 AFCON and will aim to enter the tournament on a positive note, Bafana Bafana to maintain momentum, and Zambia to restore belief under new leadership.
3.80
South Africa vs Zambia
Zambia
Match Result
Odds are subject to change.
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Recent Form & Stats
- Recent form: South Africa have remained unbeaten in their last eight outings, including key qualifiers. Zambia, by contrast, have lost eight of their last ten matches and lacked consistency.
- Head-to-Head: These teams have met 24 times; South Africa have won nine, Zambia ten, and five draws have occurred. Interestingly, Zambia have had the edge in recent direct encounters
- Home advantage: The fixture at Nelson Mandela Bay gives South Africa a platform to assert themselves before the AFCON campaign, which begins in December.
Best Bets & Predictions
Prediction: South Africa to win at 1.99.
Best Bet: BTTS – Yes at 1.91.
Value Bet: South Africa to win & BTTS at 4.25.
