Bafana Bafana hold edge over old foes Zimbabwe

Bafana Bafana go into Monday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group B clash against Zimbabwe with the edge in the head-to-head record with their old foes, having claimed nine wins to six with three draws in 18 past meetings.

South Africa’s neighbours to the north were the first team they played in a competitive fixture after readmission to international football, when they received a rude awakening in Harare with a 4-1 loss in 1992.

Here is a rundown of every clash between the two sides over the past 33 years.

1994 African Nations Cup Qualifier

Zimbabwe (2) 4 (Takawira 8’, Gumbo 19’, P. Ndlovu 49’ pen, 58’) South Africa (1) 1 (Kambule 21’)

August 16, 1992 – National Stadium, Harare

A first-ever qualifier for Bafana Bafana in any competition, and it proved a chastening moment as a Zimbabwe side featuring Bruce Grobbelaar, Francis Shonhai, Wilfred Mugeyi and Peter Ndlovu put them to the sword.

Sam Kambule brought the visitors back into contention before half-time as they trailed only 2-1, but Zimbabwe’s quality shone through after the break as they romped to victory.

Several Bafana players would go on to achieve great things, including David Nyathi, Lucas Radebe, Neil Tovey, Doctor Khumalo and Phil Masinga, who lifted the AFCON trophy four years later.