Bafana Bafana got back to winning ways in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after defeating Zimbabwe 3-1 at a packed Free State Stadium.
2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier
Result: South African 3-1 Zimbabwe
Date: 11 June 2024
Venue: Free State Stadium
Bafana made only one change from the draw against Nigeria, as Percy Tau was dropped to the bench and was replaced Oswin Appollis, who joined Iqraam Rayners, Elias Mokwana and Themba Zwane in attack.
Hugo Broos' charges had a perfect start after Rayners fired them ahead within the first minute with a strike in the box that found the bottom corner.
However, Zimbabwe responded immediately as Tawanda Chirewa fired home the equaliser after he was assisted by Marshall Munetsi.
South Africa put the Warriors under pressure for the better part but they could not create clear openings.
However, as the visitors sent numbers going forward towards the end of the first stanza, Rayners thought he had restored the lead for South Africa after scoring into an open net from a cut-back but Elias Mokwana but the goal was disallowed for offside.
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Bafana regained their momentum and Rayners came very close to making it 2-1 just before the break with a chipped shot in the box that was tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper Godfrey Chitsumba.
Broos made an attacking change at halftime, as he brought on Thapelo Morena in place of Mokwana.Morena made an immediate impact after restoring the lead for Bafana ten minutes later with a strike from close range following a rebound off a shot by Appollis, that was spilled by Chitsumba.
Zimbabwe started to attack in numbers after that and they were caught on a transition 15 minutes before time after Morena raced clear on goal from a through ball by Teboho Mokoena and made it 3-1 for the hosts and completed his brace.
South Africa were comfortable in the closing stages as they clinched a convincing win in front of a big crowd at Free State Stadium.
Bafana clocked seven points as one of the leaders in Group C while the Warriors remained at the bottom of the table.
Here's how they lined up:
South Africa: Williams, Mudau, Mvala, Ngezana, Modiba, Sithole, Mokoena, Zwane, Appollis, Mokwana, Rayners
Subs: Mothwa, Goss, Mobbie, Mofokeng, Adams, Foster, Tau, Maswanganyi, Aubaas, Msimango, Sibisi, Morena
Zimbabwe: Chitsumba, Garananga, Takwara, Murwira, Lunga, Hachiro, Munetsi, Rinomhota, Mapfumo, Chirewa, Musona.
Subs: Bernard, Hadebe, Zumura, Kadewere, Phuthi, Msendami, Mapisa, Galloway, Maroodza, Rushesha, Maswanhise, Machope.
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