South Africa emerged as 2-0 winners over Zimbabwe in their second match in the 2025 COSAFA Cup Group A at the Free State Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

As a result, Bafana Bafana climbed up to the second place in the group standings – a point behind leaders, Mozambique. South Africa will wrap up their Group A campaign with a match against Mauritius on Tuesday as they look to secure a spot in the semi-finals.

Bafana would only progress to the semi-finals as Group A winners if they overcame Mauritius and Mozambique fail to defeat Zimbabwe in their last Group A match, which is also scheduled for Tuesday.

Bafana dominated possession from the first whistle, with Marumo Gallants’ midfield maestro Masindi Nemtajela seeing a lot of the ball in the middle of the park and he was involved when the deadlock was broken in the 40th minute.

Nemtajela was fouled in the box and Kabelo Dlamini made no mistake as the Orlando Pirates playmaker converted the resultant penalty to hand the tournament hosts the lead. South Africa were leading 1-0 at the interval in Bloemfontein.

Coach Vela Khumalo’s side did not sit back and defend after the restart as they continued to launch attacks. Boitumelo Radiopane forced goalkeeper Martin Mapisa into making a fine save in the 76th minute as Bafana looked to double their lead.

However, Mapisa was then beaten two minutes later when Ime Okon netted with a header from his SuperSport United teammate Gape Moralo’s free-kick. South Africa then held on to secure a 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe on the day.

South Africa (1) 2 (Dlamini 40', Okon 78')
Zimbabwe (0) 0

South Africa: T. Mbanjwa, S. Msani (V. Letlapa 71'), I. Okon, A. McCarthy (A. Mcaba 87'), G. Moralo, K. Dlamini (P. Dithejane 71'), K. Mngonyama, M. Nemtajela, K. Sebelebele, S. Mkhize (M. Shabalala 77'), B. Radiopane (V. Letsoalo 86'

Zimbabwe: M. Mapisa, S. Takaedza, A. Mbeba (c), Makunike, P. Padera, T. Ngwenya, D. Mapuwa (K. Mupomba 64'), P. Ndlovu (M. Mazwi 77'), N. Muzenda (T. Munemo 64'), A. Kaseke, A. Chapinduka.