CAN 2025 composition, statistics, overview

South Africa need a draw to guarantee reaching the knockout stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations when they meet Zimbabwe in both teams’ final Group B match on Monday.

Bafana beat Angola 2-1 in their first match before losing 1-0 on Friday to an Egyptian team reduced to 10 players for the second half.

Coach Hugo Broos was unhappy with Egypt’s decisive penalty and felt his side should have been awarded a late penalty.

“What happened will motivate us 200% to win against South Africa,” Broos said. “We know that we have to win to be sure [of progressing] – and we will.

Zimbabwe are guaranteed to clinch the second automatic qualification spot in the section at the expense of South Africa if they win and Angola fail to beat already qualified Egypt in the simultaneous deciding group.

The Warriors drew 1-1 against Angola in their second match of the campaign, having led against the Pharaohs in their opener until Omar Marmoush’s equalizer in the 64th minute, with Mo Farah scoring the winner in the 91st minute.

🎥 HIGHLIGHTS: 🇦🇴 1-1 🇿🇼

All tied between Angola and Zimbabwe on the 2nd day #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/zPMSwHLXaM

– CAN TotalEnergies 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 26, 2025

“At least we still have a chance and we are playing for something,” said captain Marvelous Nakamba. “This is an opportunity to give it our all, fight for our country and hopefully achieve a more positive outcome.”

If either team doesn’t finish in the top two, they hope to qualify as one of the four best third-place finishers in Morocco’s six groups.

Zimbabwe vs South Africa team news

Zimbabwe are without Walter Musona, who scored twice in qualifying, but are set to start again with striker Knowledge Musona, who took his international tally to 27 with superb control and finished against Angola.

Defender Divine Lunga joined Musona, 35, in being fit again for this match, but Cincinnati defender Teenage Hadebe is doubtful after being forced off the field with an injury during the first half.

Plymouth Argyle’s Brendan Galloway, who has returned to full fitness himself, replaced Hadebe.

Wolves all-rounder Marshall Munetsi missed the final with a calf injury, as did Udinese full-back Jordan Zemura with a thigh problem.

Long-time midfielder Themba Zwane helped South Africa to a third-place finish in 2023 and was named in their provisional squad, but missed his chance with a knee injury.

🎥 HIGHLIGHTS: 🇿🇦 2-1 🇦🇴

South Africa kicks off #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 campaign with a hard-fought victory against Angola. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/HrZoCW6Qke

– CAN TotalEnergies 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 22, 2025

Zimbabwe versus South Africa: composition planned for CAN 2025

Zimbabwe starting lineup: Washington Areington, Gerveld Takara, Marvelous Cheneria and tomorrow Hadebe, Dube, Steam, Monah Fabisch, Bill Antoniio, Divinie Love, Konneleyon, Macauyon.

South Africa starting eleven: Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Siyabonga Ngezana, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba, Tshepang Moremi, Sphephelo Sithole, Sipho Mbule, Teboho Mokoena, Oswin Appollis, Lyle Foster

How to watch Zimbabwe vs South Africa: TV channel, live stream online

Kick-off on Monday will be at 4:00 p.m. GMT (11:00 a.m. ET / 8:00 a.m. PT). In the UK, live CAN 2025 Coverage is on the Channel 4 Sport YouTube channel. In the USA, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.

Online live streaming is available on a wide range of devices via Channel 4 website and the beIN Sports app and app.

Zimbabwe vs South Africa: CAN 2025 statistics

• These teams drew 0-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Durban on October 10.
• Zimbabwe have never won in their first two finals matches, with all four wins coming in their final group match.
• His overall record in CAN is 3 wins, 3 draws and 11 defeats.
• None of their matches in the final ended 0-0 and they never recorded a clean sheet.
• A run of goals in each of their last four matches is the longest run of successive goals in CAN in their history.
• A 2-1 friendly victory against Qatar on December 17 is their only victory in their last seven matches.
• South Africa’s last four group stage wins came against Angola in 2013 and 2025 and against Namibia in 2019 and 2023.
• Bafana’s loss to Egypt was their first AFCON defeat in open play in eight matches since losing to Mali in 2023 (3 wins, 4 draws).
• They had won their previous two matches against North African teams, beating Egypt and Morocco in 2019 and 2023 after going winless in four of those matches (D1 L3).
• This result ends a streak of 11 matches without defeat (including friendlies).