As the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers heat up in Africa, Zimbabwe’s national football team, the Warriors, is gearing up for a high-stakes showdown against regional rivals South Africa. Scheduled for October 10, 2025, this CAF Group C clash carries massive implications for Bafana Bafana’s qualification dreams, while offering the Warriors a chance to play the role of spoiler in a campaign that’s been anything but smooth sailing.Venue Shake-Up: From Harare to DurbanThe match was originally slated as a home fixture for Zimbabwe at the National Sports Stadium in Harare. However, ongoing renovations at the venue—part of a broader effort to modernize the country’s football infrastructure—have forced a relocation.
What started as a plan to host the game at a neutral site in Botswana has now shifted to South Africa’s iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, following scheduling conflicts at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown.
The move to Durban turns what was meant to be a neutral affair into a near-home game for South Africa, potentially tilting the odds in their favor.Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. local time (4 p.m. Harare time), under the Durban sun at one of Africa’s most atmospheric venues. Known for its arch-inspired design and electric crowds, Moses Mabhida has hosted unforgettable moments in South African football history, including the 2010 World Cup. For Zimbabwean fans, this means a road trip across the border, but ZIFA is urging supporters to make the journey and create a “Warrior wall of noise” to unsettle the hosts.Group C Battle: South Africa Eyes Direct QualificationSouth Africa enters this fixture as the undisputed leaders of Group C, boasting an impressive 13 points from their opening matches as of September 9, 2025.
The group, featuring Nigeria, Benin, Rwanda, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe, is a gauntlet of Southern African talent, with the top side earning a direct ticket to the expanded 48-team World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Bafana Bafana’s form has been clinical: a string of wins, including a 3-0 thumping of Lesotho and a gritty 1-1 draw against Nigeria, has them five points clear of second-placed Rwanda and Benin.
A victory here would not only extend their lead but could mathematically seal qualification, depending on results elsewhere. Coach Hugo Broos, the Belgian tactician who led South Africa to the Africa Cup of Nations bronze in 2024, has emphasized the stakes: “Qualifying for the World Cup is extremely difficult in Africa. This could be the first—and maybe last—time for many of these players.”
With the qualifiers wrapping up in October, there’s no margin for error. For Zimbabwe, it’s a different story. The Warriors sit at the foot of the table with just four points from eight games, including a recent 0-1 home loss to Rwanda on September 9.
Eliminated from contention months ago, their focus shifts to pride and disruption. A win or draw could dent South Africa’s momentum, boosting morale ahead of future tournaments like the 2026 AFCON qualifiers.
| Team | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 8 | 13 |
| Rwanda | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 10 |
| Benin | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 10 |
| Nigeria | 8 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Lesotho | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 12 | 5 |
| Zimbabwe | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 4 |