LIVE: South Africa vs Zimbabwe in Winner-Takes-All Group B Battle
All eyes turn to Marrakech on Sunday evening as South Africa and Zimbabwe lock horns in a high-stakes Group B showdown at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025.
Kick-off is set for 17h00 local time (16h00 GMT) at the Grand Stade de Marrakech, with qualification for the round of 16 firmly on the line. For the first time in history, these Southern African neighbours meet at AFCON finals level, adding extra weight to a rivalry already defined by tension, pride, and fine margins.
🔴 LIVE Africa Cup of Nations Match Preview | SA vs Zim MOROCCO 2025 – GROUP B
Here is a live preview of key stats and essential information ahead of kick-off as South Africa face Zimbabwe at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Monday.
Our live update ends!
🕒20:49 SAST | South Africa – Key Statistics
South Africa opened their AFCON 2025 campaign with a win over Angola before suffering a 1–0 defeat to Egypt.
They have won just one of their last five AFCON matches in open play (D3 L1).
Bafana Bafana’s last four AFCON group-stage wins have all come against COSAFA nations — twice against Angola and twice against Namibia.
Their most recent group-stage victory against non–Southern African opposition came in 2004, a win over Benin.
South Africa’s record in final group matches stands at P11 W2 D5 L4.
They are winless in their last seven third group matches at AFCON (D4 L3).
Their last victory in a must-win final group game came in 2002, a 3–1 win over Morocco, with goals from Siyabonga Nomvethe, Thabo Mngomeni and Sibusiso Zuma.
Aside from that result, their only other win in a final group match was a 4–1 victory over Namibia in 1998.
Benni McCarthy scored all four goals in that 1998 win over Namibia.
South Africa have kept just one clean sheet in a final group match — a 0–0 draw with Tunisia at the previous AFCON.
They have failed to score in their final group match at the last two editions, losing 1–0 to Morocco (2019) and drawing 0–0 with Tunisia (2023).
A win or draw in this match will see South Africa qualify for the round of 16.
Progression would mark their eighth AFCON knockout appearance, following qualifications in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2013, 2019 and 2023.
In their last four AFCON appearances, South Africa failed to progress only once — in 2015.
Qualification would see Bafana reach the knockout stages for a third consecutive edition.
It would also be just the second time they have reached the knockouts in three straight tournaments, after doing so in four successive editions between 1996 and 2002.
Elimination would see South Africa exit at the group stage for the fifth time (2004, 2006, 2008, 2015).
Ronwen Williams made his 13th AFCON appearance against Egypt, becoming the most-capped South African goalkeeper at the tournament, overtaking André Arendse.
Williams’ next appearance would see him draw level with Shaun Bartlett (14) for the fourth-most AFCON matches by a South African, behind John Moshoeu (19), Lucas Radebe (17) and Mark Fish / Helman Mkhalele (16).
South Africa recorded 63.8% possession against Egypt, their highest at AFCON since 2013.
They attempted 17 second-half shots against Egypt — their highest in either half across their last five AFCON appearances.
Aubrey Modiba registered 94 touches, the most of any player in the match.
Teboho Mokoena completed 72 passes from 80 attempts (90% accuracy) and also attempted four shots.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi attempted six tackles, winning four, with no player recording more tackles in the match.
🕒 19:46 SAST | Zimbabwe – Key Statistics
Zimbabwe picked up their first points of AFCON 2025 with a 1–1 draw against Angola in their previous match.
They remain winless after two matches and have never won either of their opening two games at an AFCON finals.
Their record in third group matches at AFCON stands at P5 W3 L2, with no draws.
All of Zimbabwe’s AFCON victories have come on matchday three:
2004: beat Algeria 2–1 (first-ever AFCON finals win)
2006: beat Ghana 2–1
2021: beat Guinea 2–1
They lost their final group matches in 2017 (4–2 vs Tunisia) and 2019 (4–0 vs DR Congo).
The 4–0 loss to DR Congo in 2019 remains Zimbabwe’s heaviest AFCON defeat, also suffered on matchday three.
In 17 AFCON matches, Zimbabwe have never kept a clean sheet — the longest such run by any team at the finals from debut.
Their matchday three win over Guinea in 2021 is their only victory in their last 11 AFCON matches.
Zimbabwe have scored in both AFCON 2025 matches, but have never scored in all three group games at a single AFCON.
They have now scored in four consecutive AFCON matches, their longest scoring streak at the finals.
A win today would see Zimbabwe qualify for the AFCON knockout stages for the first time ever.
Knowledge Musona scored against Angola, becoming only the second Zimbabwean to net three AFCON goals, alongside Peter Ndlovu.
At 35 years old, Musona is now Zimbabwe’s oldest goalscorer in AFCON finals history.
Musona attempted five shots vs Angola — across the last four AFCON tournaments, only Khama Billiat (six) has taken more shots in a single match for Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe’s starting XI against Angola averaged 30 years, 115 days, their oldest lineup across their last four AFCON finals appearances.
🕒 19:43 SAST | Recent Meetings (Last Five)
2025: Zimbabwe 0–0 South Africa – World Cup 2026 Qualifier
2024: South Africa 3–1 Zimbabwe – World Cup 2026 Qualifier
2021: South Africa 1–0 Zimbabwe – World Cup 2022 Qualifier
2021: Zimbabwe 0–0 South Africa – World Cup 2022 Qualifier
2013: South Africa 1–2 Zimbabwe – Friendly
🕒 17:22 SAST | Biggest Wins – Head-to-Head
Zimbabwe’s biggest win:
Zimbabwe 4–1 South Africa – AFCON 1994 Qualifier (1992, Rufaro Stadium)
South Africa’s biggest wins:
South Africa 3–0 Zimbabwe – Friendly (2010, Moses Mabhida Stadium)
South Africa 3–1 Zimbabwe – World Cup 2026 Qualifier (2024, Toyota Stadium)
🕒 16:38 SAST | Head-to-Head Record (All Competitions)
Overall Meetings: 19
Zimbabwe:
Played: 19
Won: 6 | Drawn: 5 | Lost: 8
Goals For: 16 | Goals Against: 21
Goal Difference: –5
South Africa:
Played: 19
Won: 8 | Drawn: 5 | Lost: 6
Goals For: 21 | Goals Against: 16
Goal Difference: +5
🕒 16:40 SAST | Team News Update
Both coaches have confirmed there are no major injuries or suspensions in either camp ahead of kick-off. With full squads available, all focus is on the battle as Bafana Bafana and the Warriors prepare to go all out for the jugular in this decisive Group B clash.
🕒 16:30 SAST | Rivalry Context
Historically, encounters between Bafana Bafana and the Warriors have been tight, physical, and emotionally charged, with margins often decided by a single goal. Zimbabwe have traditionally raised their level against South Africa, while Bafana have enjoyed more consistency in competitive qualifiers.
With AFCON knockout qualification potentially on the line in Marrakech, this first finals meeting adds a new chapter to one of Southern Africa’s most enduring football rivalries — and promises another closely fought contest.