Zimbabwe vs South Africa prediction 29.12.2025 | AFCON

Zimbabwe come into Monday's vital AFCON contest knowing only a win will do after a 1:1 dra against Angola on Saturday. In an evenly balanced contest, the Warriors were left frustrated in a share of the points that did little for either side. 

Having slipped to a 2:1 defeat against Egypt on matchday one, Mario Marinică´s side must now win their final game against the South Africans, and hope Angola lose against the Ivorians if they are to seal progression from Group B.

Recent Zimbabwe games have been entertaining and open. Each of their last four games finished with both teams on the scoresheet, and given the context around this fixture, a similar outcome has a good chance of landing this week. 

Head coach Marinică is unlikely to make too many changes from the side that performed well in the draw against Angola. Influential midfielder Knowledge Musona is expected to win his 54th international cap.

South Africa face their final fixture in Group B looking to bounce back from a controversial 1:0 defeat against Egypt on Friday. After a harshly VAR awarded spot kick - converted by Mo Salah - Bafana Bafana were then denied their own spot kick in stoppage time at the end of the second-period after an apparent handball inside the Egyptian box.

Looking to put those disappointments behind them, South Africa know they must win to secure qualification from Group B. Placed second in the section, Hugo Broos´s side picked up a 2:1 win in their opening fixture against Angola last week.

A tough side to beat, South Africa had enjoyed a ten-game unbeaten run before their setback against Egypt but they have conceded at least one goal in each of their last three matches. 

Head coach Broos has no reported injury issues this week and is likely to retain confidence in the same XI that began Saturday´s defeat in Marrakesh.