Sport

Bafana to take on Zimbabwe in Harare

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31 October 2011

An extra game has been added to Bafana Bafana's schedule after the South African Football Association arranged a friendly international against neighbours Zimbabwe, to be played at the Rufaro Stadium in Harare on Tuesday, 15 November.

The clash, South Africa's last of 2011, comes three days after Bafana play Africa's number one ranked team, Ivory Coast, in a highly-anticipated Nelson Mandela Challenge match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

"We are very excited at having two great opponents inside three days. This should give Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane and the boys an ideal workout and keep them in top condition," said South African Football Association CEO Robin Petersen.

'Should be an interesting game'

"The Zimbabwe encounter should be an interesting game, taking into consideration that most players in the Zimbabwe National team ply their trade in the Absa Premiership," added Petersen.

The last time the two neighbours met was early last year (27 January 2010) in a World Cup warm-up match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

On that occasion, South Africa recorded a resounding 3-0 victory, with goals from Siphiwe Tshabalala, Thulasizwe Mbuyane and Lucas Thwala.

Overall record

Since 1992, South Africa and Zimbabwe have met 11 times, with Bafana claiming six victories, Zimbabwe winning four times, and one match being drawn.

Zimbabwe's biggest win was in the first meeting in 1992, when they romped to a 4-1 victory. South Africa's 3-0 win last time out was their biggest winning margin over Zimbabwe.

Bafana have faced their Nelson Mandela Challenge opponents, Ivory Coast, four times previously, and on three of those four occasions the matches have ended in draws, with only two them failing to produce a goal.

The last time the teams met was way back in June 2003, with South Africa winning 2-1 in Johannesburg.

South Africa vs Zimbabwe

16/08/1992: Harare, Zimbabwe 4-1 SA

24/04/1993: Johannesburg, SA 1-1 Zimbabwe

24/04/1994: Mmabatho, SA 1-0 Zimbabwe

26/11/1995: Johannesburg, SA 2-0, Zimbabwe

16/06/1999: Johannesburg, SA 0-1 Zimbabwe

09/07/2000: Harare, Zimbabwe 0- 2 SA

29/07/2000: Port Elizabeth, SA 0-1 Zimbabwe

05/05/2001: Johannesburg, SA 2-1 Zimbabwe

19/07/2003: East London, SA 0-1 Zimbabwe

11/03/2008: Johannesburg, SA 2-1 Zimbabwe