Zimbabwe news

Mabviravira have made history in Zimbabwe in their maiden season in the top flight, becoming the first team in 41 years to achieve such a feat. The club enjoyed an impressive campaign, winning 17 games, drawing 10, and losing just five across 32 matches. Their remarkable performance earned them a reward of millions of rands from businessman Wicknell Chivhayo.

The South African senior men’s national team is set to host Zambia in an international friendly on Saturday afternoon at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. The Belgian manager will be expecting nothing less than a convincing performance from his side, who are brimming with confidence after recently securing qualification for the FIFA World Cup. With the Africa Cup of Nations fast approaching in December, Bafana will be eager to maintain their momentum and correct the mistakes of their previous campaign, where they fell short in the semi-finals after a penalty shootout defeat to Nigeria.

The experienced tactician is expected to leave at the end of the 2026 World Cup finals. Since he took over the national side in 2021, Bafana have been a competitive outfit. However, Broos has faced a lot of criticism, especially for his player selection.

South Africa is entering a Golden Era as they prepare to participate in the 2025 AFCON and 2026 World Cup after a long barren spell of failures and disappointments. With Banyana Banyana and Amajita winning silverware, and Amajimbos showing promise and the PSL title race tightening up, it's easy to get excited about local soccer right now.

The controversy over the midfielder's yellow card saga is more than a passing embarrassment, it exposes a troubling culture of carelessness within the South African football administration. A single moment of negligence nearly derailed Bafana Bafana’s World Cup hopes, and someone must take responsibility.

Mzansi will face tricky fixtures in the group stage, given that perennial winners, Egypt, are among their opponents. However, they head into the continental campaign with their morale boosted after qualifying for the 2026 World Cup finals despite having their points deducted. After failing at the ultimate stage last time, Broos is aiming higher this time around.

The former Bucs star has delivered once more for the North African giants, who are fighting to win the league again after struggling under Rhulani Mokwena last season. However, the heavyweights are facing a challenge this early from FAR Rabat as the season gathers momentum. Although Lorch has been in good form, he has not been appreciated at home, as the national team head coach keeps ignoring him.

The national team head coach has opened up about the youngster who will not be part of his squad again ahead of the November friendly. The former Cameroon tactician has directed his anger at Campbell's club, which he says promised to give the SA star more playing minutes but has not done so. The situation with the club could cost the forward a chance to feature in the AFCON finals.

From making his professional debut for the Buccaneers in March 2025 to earning his maiden Bafana Bafana call-up three months later, the 20-year-old from KwaZulu-Natal’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. The defender has dished out performances, and with the kind of maturity beyond his years. His rapid rise has become one of South Africa's feel-good football’s most exciting breakthroughs of 2025. But just as he enjoyed being at the top of his game, he has now found himself in hot water with the world football governing body.

The South African stars will contest for the prestigious award against other players from the continent during a gala ceremony that will be conducted by CAF. The continent's football governing body has also set up a dedicated voting hub where fans will cast their votes for their favourite goal. The voting process has already begun and will run until Wednesday, when voting will close.

Bafana are part of the teams that will grace the continental showpiece that will run from December 2025 and end in January 2026. The former Blues forward believes the South Africans are in a good position to mount a successful campaign. Bafana have been unsuccessful in the AFCON campaigns since they lifted the trophy in 1996 on home soil.

Although Bafana saw their points reduced for fielding the Masandawana star, they fought hard in the remaining qualifiers to seal their place in the 2026 finals. The South African Sports Minister has acknowledged there was a blunder but has defended the team manager, saying he has taken responsibility. McKenzie has also revealed the amount of bonuses Bafana players will get for the AFCON and World Cup finals.

Given the profile he has created as a dependable Sea Robber, Relebohile Mofokeng's absence has been conspicuously noted, with some raising questions. He is yet to step on the pitch since he was injured during a Premier Soccer League match against Siwelele FC on October 4.