Mwaruwari: ‘Why Zimbabwe can beat South Africa at AFCON’

Premier League legend Benjani Mwaruwari has put his neck on the chopping board ahead of Monday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)’s Group B decisive match between South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The former Manchester City FC forward, drawing from his South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL)’s insider’s knowledge, vouched for Mario Marinica’s men to beat Hugo Broos’ side.

Mwaruwari said this, as quoted by Zimbabwe’s Herald newspaper, as the Southern African adversies take their group-stage issues to Stade de Marrakech in Morocco, with a round-of-16 spot and immense pride at stake.

The ex-Portsmouth FC striker is well-versed with Zimbabwe and South Africa football dynamics and its underlying age-old bitter rivalry. Afterall, he starred in both countries at his scoring peak at the turn of the century.

Therefore, the Zimbabwe legend said there was no team that can be considered superior on paper between the two going into the match. The one-time PSL’s leading scorer suggested that the match will be decided by fine margins.

The Zimbabwean cited the outcome of the recent 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between the Southern Africa rivals which ended goalless, just when many expected Broos’ men to have a stroll in the park on October 15.

“South Africa can be beaten. We played them in the World Cup qualifiers when they were primed to win but we drew. That is what happens between us and South Africa. The better team on the day will win, but we have a chance to win, certainly,” Mwaruwari said.

Zimbabwe’s squad boasts players such as defender Divine Lunga and goalkeeper Washington Arubi drawn from PSL sides Mamelodi Sundowns and Marumo Gallants FC, respectively. Other players for Zimbabwe, including Knowledge Musona, was also a huge success at Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa.

Why Marinica Agrees With Mwaruwari

Zimbabwe coach Mario Marinica also seemed to agree with the former Portsmouth FC man, saying his team is capable of overcoming South Africa with more efficiency in the final-third at AFCON.

“And I think we need to have a bit more composure in front of goal and to try to take our chances a bit cleaner,” the coach said.

“I think we should concentrate more when in the final third and in front of the goal. We have lost points, yes, but we are still in the competition with a chance to win the last game.

“I am quite confident that if we can be clinical, we stand a very good chance to win the last game and have a chance to progress.”

AFCON: Why Bafana Bafana Need A Win At All Cost

Marinica’s men head into the match having played two games and collected one point from a one-all draw with Angola on Friday, days after losing 2-1 to Egypt. South Africa, on the other hand, have three points from two games of one win–2-1 over Angola and 1-0 loss to Egypt on Friday.

South Africa need maximum points to get an insurance for a round-of-16 spot while a draw might be risky in the event that Angola, who have one point going into the final group-stage meeting with already qualified Egypt, beat the record AFCON champions.

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