By Nhlakanipho Mnqayi
Ten men Zimbabwe held on and denied Bafana an all-important win in a sold-out affair at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban today.
Bafana came into this match sitting on the second spot, tied on 14 points with Benin who were sitting in first place after Bafana were docked 3 points for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho.
Today’s result means Benin tops group C with 17 points after edging Rwanda by a single goal to nil. Bafana remains second on the log with 15 points while Nigeria are third with 14 points as the 2026 World Cup qualifiers draw to a close next week on Tuesday.
Bafana was in control of the match from the get-go and piled pressure on the home side but failed to put the ball in the back of the net. Early in the second half, forward, Lyle Foster missed a golden chance in the 54th minute after his efforts were cleared on the line.
Home side Zimbabwe played the better part of the second half with 10 men after veteran striker Knowledge Musona was sent off after receiving his second yellow card in the 62nd minute.
Bafana coach made changes into the second half, taking out Mohau Nkota and Sphephelo Sithole for Thapelo Morena and Bathusi Aubaas, but the wall of Zimbabwe stood firm.
In the 82nd minute, Foster pounced on the defence of Zimbabwe and saw his shot hitting the post. Evidence Makgopa came in the 83rd minute for Aubrey Modiba but did not make any impact.
Zimbabwe nearly stole the match in the 89th minute, but captain Ronwen Williams parried the ball outside the bar.
Drama unfolded in the 90th minute when youngster Mbekezeli Mbokazi had a scuffle with one of the Zimbabwean players that saw him being showed a straight red card, adding more stress to the Bafana mentor ahead of the last match of the group against Rwanda.
Here are overall results of group C:
Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa
Rwanda 0-1 Benin
Lesotho 1-2 Nigeria
