Zimbabwe vs South Africa prediction: AFRICA: Africa Cup of Nations betting tips on match 2025-12-28 16:00.
[p]The final round of Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) sees both Zimbabwe and South Africa in with a chance of snatching the final automatic qualification spot.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]After squandering the lead in a 2-1 defeat to Egypt on matchday one, and then being held to a 1-1 draw by Angola on matchday two, Zimbabwe will be kicking themselves that they currently bring up the rear in Group B. Only a win here will give them a realistic chance of reaching the knockout stages, even as a best-ranked third-placed side, but recent form (W1, D2, L5) indicates that achieving such a feat is likely nothing more than a pipe dream. Falling at the first hurdle certainly wouldn’t be a surprise for Zimbabwe, who have been eliminated at this stage in all five of their prior AFCON appearances, although winning once in three of those five editions offers a crumb of hope ahead of this final group game. [/p]
[p]South Africa are much more seasoned campaigners in this competition, and have reached the quarter finals on three of their last four AFCON appearances, so they shoulder the weight of expectancy ahead of this clash. A draw will be good enough to see them through here due to their superior H2H record against Angola, who they beat on matchday one, before following that up with a 1-0 defeat against Egypt on Friday. Not since September 2022 have South Africa suffered consecutive defeats though, so everything points to the 1996 AFCON winners getting the result they need to advance here.[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]Heavy favourites in this game, South Africa have edged the last four H2Hs (W2, D2), but the all-time record in this fixture is very close (SA: W8, D4, L7). Â Â [/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Ten of Zimbabwe’s last 14 internationals featured under 2.5 goals.[/p]
[p]Zimbabwe’s last four games saw the scoring opened before the 30th minute. [/p]
[p]South Africa have scored after half-time in four of their last five games.[/p]
[p]South Africa haven’t conceded more than once in their last six competitive games.[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Knowledge Musona moved into second on Zimbabwe’s all-time top scorer charts with his equaliser against Angola – three of his last four international goals served to level the scores. South Africa’s Lyle Foster plies his trade in the Premier League with Burnley, and after scoring their winner against Angola, has now seen his last four international strikes arrive after half-time. [/p]
[p]Zimbabwe lost Teenage Hadebe to injury in their last game, while South Africa have a full contingent to choose from.[/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]With so much on the line here, this could be a goal-shy affair that leads to a South Africa win and under 2.5 goals.[/p]
[p][i]Author: Chris Wilson[/i][/p]