Zimbabwe Ditch South Africa, Choose New Venue for Crucial WCQ Against Bafana Bafana
- Zimbabwe will not play their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier matchday nine fixture against Bafana Bafana in South Africa
- The Warriors have played their home matches during the qualifying series at stadiums in their neighbouring country
- Zimbabwe is the only winless team in Group C and has four points from four draws, two of which have come against Nigeria
Zimbabwe have decided to play their final home game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, which is against Bafana Bafana away from South Africa.
The Warriors have played three of their home matches in the ongoing qualifiers inside South Africa after having none of their stadiums approved by FIFA and CAF.
Source: Twitter
They played their opening home match of the qualifier at Huye Stadium in Rwanda, before two games at Orlando Stadium and one at Moses Mabhida Stadium in South Africa.
Zimbabwe is the only winless team in Group C and has four points from four draws, two of which have come against Nigeria, including the 1-1 draw in Uyo.
Their final two matches are against COSAFA opponents, Bafana Bafana on matchday nine, and Lesotho, who also play their home matches in South Africa on the final day.
Zimbabwe move home game to Botswana
According to OwnGoal Nigeria, Zimbabwe have moved their final home match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier away from South Africa.
The Warriors will now host Bafana Bafana at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown, which their new hosts have agreed to grant them.
Botswana FA President Tariq Oabile Thona Babitseng confirmed this after receiving communication from his counterpart at the Zimbabwean FA.
“Yes, it is true we will be hosting Zimbabwe versus South Africa in Botswana at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown on 10 October,” Babitseng said, as quoted by News 24.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association has already contacted us, and we have agreed to host them here in Botswana.”
Zimbabwe took this decision to prevent South Africa from having the home advantage in their quest to clinch the automatic qualification ticket in Group C.
South Africa is top of the group with 17 points, three ahead of Benin Republic and six ahead of Nigeria, and must win their final two matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda.
Source: Getty Images
Bafana Bafana have dodged FIFA sanctions for fielding Teboho Mokoena, who was supposed to be suspended during their 2-0 win over Lesotho in March.
Nigeria and Benin Republic protested, but Lesotho, who are South Africa’s neighbours and COSAFA compatriot, have failed to lodge an official complaint.
The West African neighbours are still hoping that FIFA will act introspectively, which will boost their chances of qualifying, particularly the Super Eagles.
FIFA blamed NFF and CAF for Bloemfontein pitch
Legit.ng previously reported that FIFA explained why the Super Eagles of Nigeria faced Bafana Bafana at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Both teams lamented the poor state of the pitch at the stadium, which is mainly used to host rugby matches, and led to serious injuries to Wilfred Ndidi and Ola Aina.
Source: Legit.ng
