Zimbabwe vs South Africa Prediction & Betting Tips - AFCON
Africa - AFCON
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by Devesh Jaganath in AFCON Predictions
Zimbabwe will face familiar foes South Africa at Stade de Marrakech on Monday in a match that may prove decisive in a tightly contested Group B at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The Warriors are bottom of the group standings, while Bafana Bafana are in second place with one game to go. Check out our match prediction below!
South Africa have three points after two games in Group B following a defeat to Egypt on Friday night. The bronze medalists from the last edition need at least a draw from this match to guarantee their progress to the knockout stage, given that they have the head-to-head advantage over third-placed Angola on one point.
For Zimbabwe, keeping their AFCON dreams alive requires a victory. If they are able to get three points here, they will leapfrog their Southern African neighbours to second place, but will need the Pharaohs to avoid defeat against Palancas Negras in the other match in the group to progress as runners-up. Let’s get into the key stats!
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The Best Betting Odds for Zimbabwe v South Africa Match
| Bookmaker | 1 | X | 2 | Bonus up to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5.25 | 3.6 | 1.7 |
|
|
5.5 | 3.4 | 1.7 |
|
|
5 | 3.3 | 1.73 |
|
|
5.4 | 3.55 | 1.67 |
|
|
5.25 | 3.4 | 1.7 |
|
What is the prediction for the football match between Zimbabwe and South Africa?
Our prediction for the Zimbabwe vs South Africa match is: less than 2.5 goals.
Probabilities according to our algorithm* of possible 1X2 football predictions and best odds for the match on 29/12/2025 between Zimbabwe and South Africa in AFCON :
- The Sportytrader ⭐ algorithm estimates a probability of 19.32% for a win of Zimbabwe against South Africa with odds of 5.55 at Melbet.
- The probability according to Sportytrader ⭐ for a draw between Zimbabwe vs South Africa is 46.19% with odds of 3.6 at Bet365.
- Our prediction model gives a 34.49% chance ⭐ for a win of South Africa vs Zimbabwe with odds of 1.74 at Tonybet.
Zimbabwe vs South Africa Form
Zimbabwe and South Africa's standings in the AFCON
| Teams | Pts | P | W | D | L | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2
|
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
|
3
|
1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
Zimbabwe and South Africa Last Matches
1/6 (17%)
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
26 Dec 2025 - AFCON
22 Dec 2025 - AFCON
17 Nov 2025 - International Friendlies
13 Nov 2025 - International Friendlies
13 Oct 2025 - World Cup
10 Oct 2025 - World Cup
1/6 (17%)
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
10 Oct 2025 - World Cup
9 Sept 2025 - World Cup
20 Mar 2025 - World Cup
15 Nov 2024 - AFCON
14 Oct 2024 - AFCON
10 Sept 2024 - AFCON
1/6 (17%)
1/6 (17%)
4/6 (67%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
26 Dec 2025 - AFCON
22 Dec 2025 - AFCON
17 Nov 2025 - International Friendlies
13 Nov 2025 - International Friendlies
13 Oct 2025 - World Cup
5 Sept 2025 - World Cup
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
26 Dec 2025 - AFCON
22 Dec 2025 - AFCON
16 Dec 2025 - International Friendlies
15 Nov 2025 - International Friendlies
14 Oct 2025 - World Cup
10 Oct 2025 - World Cup
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
22 Dec 2025 - AFCON
16 Dec 2025 - International Friendlies
15 Nov 2025 - International Friendlies
14 Oct 2025 - World Cup
9 Sept 2025 - World Cup
18 Aug 2025 - African Nations Championship
1/6 (17%)
3/6 (50%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
26 Dec 2025 - AFCON
10 Oct 2025 - World Cup
5 Sept 2025 - World Cup
15 Aug 2025 - African Nations Championship
8 Aug 2025 - African Nations Championship
15 Jun 2025 - COSAFA Cup
Zimbabwe vs South Africa Stats: Head to Head (H2H)
0 %
40 %
60 %
Average stats (last H2H results)
10 Oct 2025 - World Cup
7 Jun 2025 - COSAFA Cup
11 Jun 2024 - World Cup
11 Nov 2021 - World Cup
3 Sept 2021 - World Cup
Zimbabwe - South Africa: Form Analysis
Zimbabwe almost pulled off the biggest upset of the first-round matches at the 2025 AFCON. They went toe-to-toe with Egypt, but lost 2-1 when the North Africans were awarded a last-minute penalty.
The Warriors then picked up their first point in the competition on Boxing Day when they played to a 1-1 draw against Angola, a result that kept both teams in the hunt for knockout round qualification.
However, Marian Marinica’s side have now won only one of their last nine matches across all competitions (D3 L5), which came in a friendly against Qatar during the November international break.
Zimbabwe are winless in their last five matches against their upcoming opponents (D2 L3)!
Meanwhile, South Africa kicked off their 2025 AFCON campaign with an impressive 2-1 victory over Angola last week before suffering a painful 1-0 defeat to Egypt on Friday night in Agadir.
Despite the final result, Bafana Bafana would have taken plenty of positives from their match against the Pharaohs, who were awarded a contentious penalty, which was converted by Mohamed Salah.
Additionally, Hugo Broos’s side had a penalty shout of their own in the 87th minute, but after an eternity for VAR to ask referee Pacifique Ndabihawenimana to head to the screen, the spot-kick was controversially turned down.
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Zimbabwe vs South Africa last Lineups
Formation : 3 - 5 - 2
Formation : 4 - 2 - 1 - 3
Zimbabwe & South Africa Squad Analysis
Veteran attacker Knowledge Musona was left out by Marinica against Egypt, but he made his mark by scoring the crucial equaliser against Angola on Friday and should keep his place in this match.
Given that South Africa thrives on possession and quick transitions, Marvelous Nakamba will have a key role to play in the Warriors' engine room to try and disrupt the rhythm of his opponents.
Teenage Hadebe only lasted 37 minutes against Angola before being withdrawn with a knock. Brendon Galloway is the most likely player to replace the FC Cincinnati defender if he is not cleared fit for this clash.
Will Relebohile Mofokeng get his first AFCON start this week?
Broos has yet to hand the Orlando Pirates star a start in this competition, and many South African fans are crying out for the Belgian head coach to add another creative player to the team’s attack.
Lyle Foster has done incredibly well to lead the line so far, proving a handful in physical duels and holding up the ball, but it was clear in the defeat to Egypt that he needs more support up front.
Bafana Bafana have no major injury issues for this match, but Broos will have some concerns over Sphephelo Sithole and Aubrey Modiba, both of whom are one caution away from suspension.
Most goals and assists
Zimbabwe
South Africa
K. Musona
(1 Goals)
,
P. Dube
(1 Goals)
O. Appollis
(1 Goals)
,
L. Foster
(1 Goals)
B. Antonio
(1 Assists)
,
E. Jalai
(1 Assists)
T. Moremi
(1 Assists)
,
L. Foster
(1 Assists)
Zimbabwe and South Africa Stats in AFCON
Zimbabwe - South Africa Key Points
- Five of Zimbabwe’s last nine matches have ended with under 2.5 goals.
- Four of South Africa’s last seven games have ended with under 2.5 goals.
- South Africa have only conceded 2+ goals in one of their last 10 matches.
- South Africa have only conceded once in their last five matches against this opponent.
- Fewer than three goals were scored in four of the last five matches between these sides.
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Our Zimbabwe vs South Africa Prediction
South Africa enter this match as the clear favourites and with the superior head-to-head record, but given the group standings, Hugo Broos will be demanding that his side aim to maintain a clean sheet here.
These sides met in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier just over a couple of months ago in Durban, and it was a very balanced match that ended goalless. It will not be a huge surprise if the first goal proves decisive in this one. Our Zimbabwe vs South Africa prediction is less than 2.5 goals.
Zimbabwe vs South Africa - Other Interesting Predictions
South Africa wins
South Africa are unbeaten in their last five matches against this opponent and have only lost one of their last 13 games across all competitions. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, have only won one of their last nine games.
Use £/€50 free bets for the Zimbabwe vs. South Africa game!
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Zimbabwe vs South Africa - FAQs
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations match between Zimbabwe and South Africa will take place on December 29 at 18:00 SAST/ CAT, or 16:00 GMT.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations match between Zimbabwe and South Africa will be played at Stade de Marrakech in Morocco.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations match between South Africa and Angola will be broadcast on Supersport across most of sub-Saharan Africa. UK and US viewers can tune in to Channel 4 and beIN Sports, respectively.
Alternatively, you can follow all the action on our AFCON 2025 livescore tool.
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
