by NJABULO BUTHELEZI
DURBAN, (CAJ News) – ONE of the most prominent football rivalries in the region will be revived on Friday when South Africa and Zimbabwe contest a World Cup qualifier.
The Southern African neighbours clash at the Moses Mabhida in Durban amid contrasting fortunes.
Kickoff is 18h00 and a full house is expected at the 56 000-capacity stadium.
It is a home match for Zimbabwe but they are “hosting” it in South Africa after a stadium ban imposed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
On paper, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana are the favourites following a campaign that has them on the verge of qualifying for the first time since hosting in 2010.
They are under pressure however after the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) recently docked them three points for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena.
This has resulted in them losing top spot to Benin in Group C.
Both are tied on 14 points with two matches left.
Zimbabwe’s Warriors are bottom of the group, ten points behind. Bafana won the reverse fixture 3-1 in Bloemfontein.
With their campaign over, the Zimbabweans will only be playing for pride. They are winless after 8 games, under German Michael Nees.
Bafana have impressed under his Belgian counterpart, Hugo Broos.
“I believe in this group (players),” Broos said at a pre-match media conference.
“I am sure that they will do everything in their power to win that game on Friday. If there is a team that deserves to go to the World Cup, it is South Africa.”
Form usually counts for nothing when Bafana and the Warriors contest the “Limpopo derby”.
They have played memorable and at times tragic matches.
Two stand out, both played at the National Sports Stadium in Harare, Zimbabwe.
South Africa lost 4-1 to Zimbabwe in 1992 upon the former’s readmission to international football.
Bafana gained their revenge in 2000, with a 2-0 win but it was marred by the death of 12 spectators during a stampede.
– CAJ News