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Midfield change confirmed: Bafana line-up vs Zimbabwe

Posted on December 29, 2025

Bafana Bafana’s attacking midfielder Sipho Mbule has restored his place, while his Orlando Pirates teammate Thalente Mbatha drops to the bench.

South Africa takes on the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Stade de Marrakech in Morocco.

A win for Mzansi will seal a spot in the final 16 round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025), while a draw will also do the job.

AFCON 2025: BAFANA BAFANA STARTING LINE-UP VS ZIMBABWE

It seems coach Broos has spotted the obvious selection mistake he made in the 1-0 loss to Egypt last Friday.

The Belgian has dropped a more defensive midfielder, Mbatha, for the industrious Mbule in the number 10 role.

South Africa: Williams, Mudau, Ngezana, Mbokazi, Modiba, Sithole, Mokoena, Mbule, Appollis, Moremi, Foster.

Substitutes: Chaine, Goss, Ndamane, Mbatha, Mofokeng, Nkota, Mokwana, Aubaas, Kabini, Sibisi, Makgopa, Campbell, Matuludi

Zimbabwe: Arubi, Takwara, Garananga, Galloway, Lunga, Nakamba, Maswanhise, Fabisch, Msendami, Antonio, Dube.

Substitutes: N/A

There is recent history between the two sides. South Africa and Zimbabwe met twice in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The first game was a 0-0 draw away from home before Bafana claimed a clean 3-1 win on home soil. Those results will offer confidence.

WHAT COACH HUGO BROOS SAID

“We know that we have to win to be sure, and we are super motivated,” the Belgian told journalists. “So on Monday, we will be ready to go through it and try to beat Zimbabwe.

“We know that we have the qualities. We know that we can beat Zimbabwe.

He acknowledged that Zimbabwe are have one point and likely have similar thoughts going into the match.

He added that it will be a difficult game for South Africa, but expressed confidence: “We will be ready on Monday. I can assure you, and we will try to win that game.”

“And if you win the game, okay, we are in the second round, and then we will see what happens,” the Bafana Bafana mentor concluded.

Also read: Where are Bafana Bafana on the current CAF rankings?

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About Us

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Soccer Bullet is a weekly football newspaper with a large focus on PSL football stars, breaking news and football features from renowned journalists in the industry.
The Soccer Bullet website is your 24 hour portal to the latest football news as well as a content hub where you can access on Soccer Bullet Website Sales Email: info@soccerbullet.co.za
COLORMAG
Soccer Bullet is a weekly football newspaper with a large focus on PSL football stars, breaking news and football features from renowned journalists in the industry.
The Soccer Bullet website is your 24 hour portal to the latest football news as well as a content hub where you can access on Soccer Bullet Website Sales Email: info@soccerbullet.co.za

Latest News

  • Bafana Bafana edge Zimbabwe in 5-goal thriller
  • Bafana Book Place In AFCON Last-16
  • Orlando Pirates new signings mid-term report: 2 of 12.
  • Midfield change confirmed: Bafana line-up vs Zimbabwe
  • Bafana & Zim Starting XIs Confirmed
  • Motsepe keeps faith despite Sundowns falling behind Pirates
  • Sibisi – Our Biggest AFCON Lessons So Far
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