bafana1Bafana Bafana's World Cup qualifying campaign begins in Harare on Friday and in a competitive group a solid start against Zimbabwe will be vital

 

 

 

South Africa have been drawn in Group G along with Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and the heavyweights of this quartet are Ghana. There are 10 qualifying groups from the Africa region but only 5 will go on to make it to Qatar. The ten group winners will face off in 2 leg play offs to determine which nations will qualify for next years finals.

 

Zimbabwe

 

Zimbabwe succeeded where Bafana failed in terms of qualifying for next year's AFCON finals and they now bid to reach the World Cup finals for the first time ever.

Zim have a number of South African based players (including Khama Billiat ) in their squad but their preparations required alteration after players based in the UK were unable to make it. Nonetheless there are other players who ply their trade in Europe and across Africa and Croatian coach Zdravko Logarusic will select from the following squad.

 

Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi, Martin Mapisa, Talbert Shumba

Defenders: Onismor Bhasera, Takudzwa Chimwemwe, Divine Lunga, Kelvin Moyo, Alec Mudimu, Godknows Murwira, William Stima

Midfielders: Perfect Chikwende, Jonah Fabisch, Thabani Kamusoko, Farai Madhananga, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Marshall Munetsi, Butholezwe Ncube, Tafadzwa Rusike, Blessing Sarupinda, Silas Songani, Ishmael Wadi

Forwards: Khama Billiat, Terrence Dzvukamanja, Tino Kadewere, Knowledge Musona, Knox Mutizwa

 

South Africa

 

After the misery of missing out on the AFCON finals Belgian Hugo Broos is the man South Africa turned to in the coaching department. This will be his first competitive game in charge but the recent Cosafa Cup triumph partly influenced the selection of the squad for this game and next week's home clash with Ghana.

Percy Tau is available and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has been named skipper.

 

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Veli Mothwa, Bruce Bvuma

Defenders: Sydney Mobbie, Rushine De Reuck, Thapelo Morena, Siyanda Xulu, Thibang Phete, Thabani Dube, Sibusiso Mabiliso

Midfielders: Sipho Mbule, Teboho Mokoena, Mothobi Mvala, Yusuf Maart, Ethan Brooks, Njabulo Blom

Strikers: Thabiso Kutumela, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Gift Links, Evidence Makgopa, Victor Letsoalo, Percy Tau, Luther Singh

 

*Note, Phete and Kutumela reportedly didn't travel to Zimbabwe.

 

 

The Betting

 

Zim are currently trading at around 9/4 to win the game game with the draw at 18/10 and Bafana are favourites at 27/20.

 

A game of 3 goals or more in total is priced at 16/10 and it's 27/25 for both teams to find the net.

 

Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change

 

Verdict:

 

This is no easy task for Bafana first up and with Ghana to come they can ill afford to drop points. Zim will have similar thoughts, especially with this been their home game and whilst punting aside I hope I am wrong, I worry for Bafana here.

 

Bet: Zimbabwe to win at 9/4

 

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Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change

 

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