Bafana Bafana will BEAT neighbours Zimbabwe – bet on it!

South Africa will get their 2022 Soccer World Cup qualification campaign off to the best possible start – if bookmakers are to be believed!

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Hugo Broos’ team will kick off their qualifiers for next year’s tournament in Qatar with an away clash against neighbours Zimbabwe on Friday, 3 September in Harare.

Kick-off at the Zimbabwe National Sports Stadium is at 15:00 SA time.

Leading South African bookies Hollywoodbets have installed Bafana Bafana as 13/10 favourites for the match while Zimbabwe can be backed at 22/10.

The draw after 90 minutes is on offer at 2/1.

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Both sides have had their fair share of last-minute player withdrawals.

Bafana Bafana traveled to Zimbabwe on Wednesday without two of their key players Thabiso Kutumela and Thibang Phete who both failed Covid-19 tests prior to departure.

Broos will have 22 men to select from following Njabulo Ngcobo’s late call-up to the camp.

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Meanwhile, Zimbabwe were forced to make wholesale changes to their initial squad following the ban implemented by United Kingdom leagues in particular on players visiting and returning from ‘red’-list countries.

Coach Zdravko Logarusic has called-up a number of players plying their trade in the PSL who will be familiar to South African supporters.

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BAFANA BAFANA 22-MAN SQUAD FOR ZIMBABWE SOCCER WORLD CUP 2022 QUALIFIER:

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United – captain), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs)

Defenders: Sydney Mobbie (Mamelodi Sundowns), Rushine De Reuck (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyanda Xulu (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Thabani Dube (Kaizer Chiefs), Sibusiso Mabiliso (Kaizer Chiefs)

Midfielders: Sipho Mbule (SuperSport United), Teboho Mokoena (SuperSport United), Mothobi Mvala (Mamelodi Sundowns), Yusuf Maart (Sekhukhune FC), Ethan Brooks (TS Galaxy), Njabulo Blom (Kaizer Chiefs), Njabulo Ngcobo (Kaizer Chiefs)

Strikers: Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Maritzburg United), Gift Links (Aarhus GF, Denmark), Evidence Makgopa (Baroka FC), Victor Letsoalo (Bloemfontein Celtics), Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt), Luther Singh (F.C Copenhagen, Denmark)

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REVISED ZIMBABWE SQUAD FOR BAFANA BAFANA SOCCER WORLD CUP 2022 QUALIFIER:

Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Talbert Shumba (Free State Stars), Martin Mapisa (Zamora CF)

Defenders: Onismor Bhasera (SuperSport United), Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns), Takudzwa Chimwemwe (Nkana), Alec Mudimu (Torpedo Kutaisi), Godknows Murwira (Dynamos), Kelvin Moyo (Nkana), William Stima (FC Platinum)

Midfielders: Blessing Sarupinda (Sekhukhune United), Jonah Fabisch (Hamburger SV), Marshall Munetsi (Stade de Reims), Tafadzwa Rusike, Thabani Kamusoko (Zesco United), Kudakwashe Mahachi (SuperSport United), Khama Billiat (Kaizer Chiefs), Perfect Chikwende (Simba SC), Butholezwe Ncube (AmaZulu), Ishmael Wadi (JDR Stars), Farai Madhananga (Marumo Gallants), Silas Songani (FC Platinum), Knowledge Musona (Al-Tai – captain)

Strikers: Terrence Dzvukamanja (Orlando Pirates), Tinotenda Kadewere (Olympique Lyon), Knox Mutizwa (Lamontville Golden Arrows)

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