South Africa vs Zimbabwe Prediction: This is a must win for Bafana

Mzansi are on the brink of failing to qualify for the FIFA World Cup once again. They played out to a draw in their last match and are sitting fourth in the group ahead of kick off. It is a familia story for South Africans. Bafana look in good shape and are expected to dominate in a group where they are seen to be the favourites, however, things do go according to plan once the games are played. Bafana will need a win if they are to keep their names in the hate, a loss would be devastating to their chances of qualification. 

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Team News

Zimbabwe are at risk of losing Left-Back Devine Lunga, who is nursing an ankle injury. The Mamelodi Sundowns star, was injured in Zimbabwe defeat to Lesotho on Friday. He was notably missing form the squad that trained in Bloemfontein on Sunday. The Zimbabwe squad could be given a boost with Udinese's Jordan Zemura coming in to replace the injured Lungs.

Mamelodi Sundown's defender Grant Kekana was forced to withdraw from the national team after suffering a hamstring injury. He was subsequently replaced by Given Msimango of Kaizer Chiefs. Social Media has been a buzz with the country demanding more from Percy Tau in attack. This comes after a notable miss against Nigeria, where many felt that the Al Ahly star should have tucked that opportunity away.

South Africa vs Zimbabwe Odds

South Africa are favourites to win this encounter, with odds on them doing just that set at 41/100, Zimbabwe who are poised to shock everyone are at 32/5 and it is 16/5 for the draw. The odds on total goals being over 2.5 are set at 53/50 and under 2.5 71/100.

3 Way - Draw 16/5

Historically this match has not been kind to Bafana Bafana. Besides winning their last meeting in November of 2021. they had not beaten Zimbabwe in 11 years and 3 attempts. Of course many will argue that South Africa were going through a rough patch, trying to secure a long term manager, a core team and dealing with all the politics around the national team. However, you look at the statistics and see that South Africa have come a long way from the team they were during that 11 year spell when they couldn't get a result against Zimbabwe.

Current form, points to South Africa as the obvious favourites to walk away with all three points and do so with ease. this is down to Zimbabwe losing two out of their last three matches. In addition to that they have just one win in their last five internationals. They are far from a team in form and are struggling to keep clean sheets. failing to do so in their last four matches. A loss to Lesotho last time out, has now seen them sit rock bottom in the group, below Nigeria and South Africa. For them, a win would keep them in contention to qualify, while also taking points of one of the favourites to qualify.

South Africa are on the brink of disappointing Bafana fans once again. For many people, the conversation about where Bafana Bafana is getting it wrong continues to boil in corridors, locker rooms and pubs around the country. These conversations seemed to have died down, after an impressive run in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, but a lose to Zimbabwe, would revive doubts about Bafana's ability to qualify for the worlds biggest show piece. With that, a lot of scrutiny would be fall the coach, the players and indeed the FA. There is a lot at stake for Bafana in this match, the only question being, can they deliver?

Only time will tell, but we can look at the statistics to paint a picture of where the national team sits ahead of this match. Bafana have no losses in their last four matches. Three draws in a row means that they have now wins in their last three matches. Disappointingly they have also failed to keep a clean sheet in all three of their last three matches. This includes their last outing against Nigeria, that ended in a one all draw. South Africa is ranked 59th in the world and Zimbabwe is ranked 122 in the world. That Metric on paper puts this match in South Africa's hands. however, with both teams having leaky defences, anything can happen on Tuesday evening.

Check out our other Soccer Betting Predictions here.