Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
TEN-men Zimbabwe put on an impressive performance to dent South Africa’s World Cup qualification hopes after holding Bafana Bafana to a goalless draw at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban this Friday.
Touted by many as a dead rubber, the battle of Limpopo was far from that, as it was a true derby.
The match had everything, beautiful football in patches, tension, crude tackles and even red cards, but lacked goals.
South Africa went into the match seeking nothing short of victory to keep World Cup qualification destiny in their hands.
The Warriors, on the other hand, with no chance of making it to the 2026 World Cup in the United States of America, looked to fine-tune for the Africa Cup of Nations coming up in December.
Bafana Bafana started stronger, keeping Washington Arubi in goals for Zimbabwe busy, but the veteran was equal to the task.
South Africa hit the upright post in both halves, but Zimbabwe also had chances of their own, especially at the death.
The Warriors had former captain Knowledge Musona sent for an early shower in the 63rd minute, but they held on and even created chances.
South Africa later went one man down when the match was almost over and the Warriors saw off the match to secure their first draw of the campaign, although a win remains elusive.
The Warriors remain anchored at the bottom of Group C with five points, but for South Africa, the result is almost fatal after falling two points behind Benin, who edged Rwanda one-nil.
Benin are now on 17 points, South Africa on 15, while Nigeria are now a point behind after beating Lesotho 2-1.
Zimbabwe take on Lesotho in their final match in Polokwane, while neighbours Benin and Nigeria clash in a titanic battle that will decide the destiny of the group as South Africa face Rwanda.
