Zimbabwe ready to rattle SA in Marrakesh showdown

MARIO Marinica was not in charge of Zimbabwe when the Warriors nearly put a spanner in the works for Bafana Bafana's quest for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

- MATSHELANE MAMABOLO

But the Romanian would know just how much his team loves to make things hard for their neighbours across the Limpopo.

Marinica would have been told of the pride Zimbabwe felt in stalling South Africa's qualification for the global showpiece with that draw at Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium in the penultimate match of the qualifiers. He will thus be hard-pressed to ensure the Warriors deliver yet another stellar showing, this time at the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Zimbabwe and Bafana clash in a final Group B match in Marrakesh tonight, with a spot in the knockout phase at stake and with more pressure on the former to win.