By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa’s World Cup hopes took another knock after a 0-0 draw with Zimbabwe at the Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban on Friday evening.
The result saw Bafana Bafana remain second in the Group C standings, but they are now two points behind leaders Benin with one game left. They will qualify directly for the World Cup if they overcome Rwanda at home and the other results go their way.
Only the group winners are assured of a spot at the 2026 finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada, but the second-placed side could still have a chance to reach the tournament via African and intercontinental play-offs.
Bafana Bafana controlled the match from the start and they created the better chances with the Warriors under siege. Washington Arubi was called into action in the 26th minute and the Zimbabwe goalkeeper parried away Sipho Mbule’s shot.
Arubi was beaten in the 43rd minute by Mohau Nkota’s rasping shot, but the ball hit the outside of the upright with the Marumo Gallants star well-beaten.
The score was 0-0 at halftime, with South Africa having failed to convert their chances.
South Africa continued to pile pressure on Zimbabwe after the restart as Lyle Foster’s effort was cleared off the goal-line in the 53rd minute. The Warriors were then reduced to 10 players in the 62nd minute after Knowledge Musona picked up his second yellow card.
Ultimately, the match ended in a 0-0 draw with South Africa finishing the match with 10 players after Mbekezeli Mbokazi being sent off in stoppage time.
Bafana Bafana now face Rwanda in their final qualifier next Tuesday — a must-win game if they are to keep any hope of reaching the World Cup alive.
Meanwhile Nigeria kept their 2026 World Cup hopes alive with a 2-1 victory over Lesotho in their penultimate qualifier at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday, October 10.
Elsewhere Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored all four goals in Gabon’s 4-3 away win over The Gambia to extend his nation’s hopes of reaching the World Cup for the first time – but was then sent off late on.
The Panthers remain a point behind Group F leaders Ivory Coast, who thrashed Seychelles 7-0.
Riyad Mahrez led from the front as Algeria became the fourth African nation to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup after cruising to a 3-0 win over Somalia.