Venue Drama: Botswana Pull-Out Sends Warriors Back to South Africa
Zimbabwe–Bafana Bafana Qualifier to Stay in South Africa After Botswana Venue Falls Through
Contrary to speculation, Zimbabwe’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa will not be staged in Botswana. Instead, the Warriors will once again turn to a South African venue, with Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg remaining the frontrunner.
Zimbabwe have been forced to host their “home” matches in South Africa after failing to secure CAF approval for the National Sports Stadium in Harare. Their most recent fixture — a 1-0 defeat to Rwanda — was played at Orlando Stadium.
Reports over the weekend suggested that the Warriors were preparing to shift the clash against Bafana Bafana to Francistown, Botswana. But the Botswana Football Association (BFA) has confirmed that the Francistown Sports Complex is unavailable, as it will be in use for Botswana’s own qualifier against Uganda on 9 October. FIFA regulations stipulate that visiting teams must access the match venue the day before a fixture, making Zimbabwe’s plan unworkable.
This development has pushed ZIFA to look again at familiar alternatives in South Africa, with both Orlando Stadium and Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban under consideration. Orlando, however, remains the first choice given its track record of hosting the Warriors’ fixtures over the past two years.
Pride vs Qualification
The two Southern African rivals meet on Monday, 6 October, in a match that carries contrasting stakes. For Bafana Bafana, the encounter is crucial to securing qualification. Hugo Broos’ side leads Group C with 17 points from eight games, and victory against Zimbabwe would edge them closer to sealing a place at the 2026 finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
For Zimbabwe, the campaign is already over. The Warriors sit bottom of the group with just four points and no victories. Still, former captain Knowledge Musona has insisted that pride is on the line:
“We may not have lived up to our hopes in the tournament, but we want to ensure we leave everything on the pitch against South Africa.”
The first meeting between the sides in June 2024, staged at Free State Stadium, ended in a 3-1 win for Bafana, courtesy of a Thapelo Morena brace and a goal from Iqraam Rayners. Tawanda Chirewa netted Zimbabwe’s consolation.
Regional Rivalry
ZIFA has bristled at suggestions that financial inducements influenced its venue choice, dismissing such claims as baseless. Spokesperson Mike Madoda stressed that venue selection “remains an internal process carried out with independence and integrity.”
Beyond logistics, the fixture underscores the enduring rivalry between the two nations. Both sides are also drawn together in Group B at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, alongside Egypt and Angola — ensuring the battle for Southern African supremacy will remain fierce in the months ahead.