Five things to look out for as Bafana face Zimbabwe

South Africa open their 2022 World Cup qualifying Group G campaign with a visit to neighbours Zimbabwe on Friday afternoon, looking for a positive start to life under new Belgian head coach Hugo Broos.

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The Warriors, however, are likely to be tricky opponents, especially at the National Sports Stadium in Harare. Jonty Mark takes a look at what to look out for in this Southern African derby.

A DStv Premiership affair

With so many DStv Premiership stars in both of these two teams, it won’t be a surprise if this game takes on the hue of a South African top flight game, which may or may not bode well for its entertainment value. Broos has picked a squad of mostly locally-based players, while Zimbabwe have an abundance of Premiership stars, from Washington Arubi in goal to Khama Billiat and Terrence Dzvukumanja up front. Even some of those Zimbabweans now playing overseas, like Knowledge Musona and Marshall Munetsi, cut their teeth in South Africa.

A cagey start from the away side

Broos made mention in his very first press conference as Bafana coach that the side had conceded far too many goals in the early stages of their ultimately-failed Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. He has also said he expects Zimbabwe to go in for the kill at the start of Friday’s game, so one would expect Bafana to sit back in the beginning of the game in Harare, to frustrate their opponents and to look for opportunities on the break.

An all-SuperSport United central midfield

Teboho Mokoena and Sipho Mbule were both linked with moves away from Matsatsantsa in the off-season, but both have stayed, and have already showed their value to the Tshwane side, both scoring in their 3-1 win over Golden Arrows ahead of the international break. Mbule and Mokoena will only increase their reputation and value with good performances in the heart of the Bafana midfield in World Cup qualifying, and in an inexperienced squad, Broos may well feel is is pertinent to go with two players more than used to each other against Zimbabwe.

Can Percy Tau get some help from Bafana’s young guns?

Percy Tau has carried most of the weight of Bafana’s creative power on his shoulders for some time now, and has done it superbly, even scoring four times in Bafana’s ultimately failed bid to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. With a full pre-season behind him at Brighton, followed by a move to Al Ahly, Tau should in in good enough shape to lead Bafana’s attack again on Friday. He will, however, need some help if Bafana are to go far in World Cup qualifying. Can a player like Luther Singh or Gift Links step up on the biggest international stage?

Zimbabwe have Knowledge and good Khama

Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat bring an abundance of experience and talent to the Warriors’ attack, and could well be the key men if Zimbabwe are to succeed in Harare on Friday. Billiat is showing signs of finding his best form again at Kaizer Chiefs, while Musona already has a first goal for his new club in Saudi Arabia, Al Tai. Without Billiat, indeed, the Warriors wouldn’t even be in the group stages as his stoppage time goal saved them from embarrassment against Somalia in the preliminary round, way back in 2019.