Zimbabwe's World Cup qualifier moved to Durban

Zimbabwe's FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against South Africa will now be staged at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, following the unavailability of the originally designated Botswana venue.

The match, scheduled for 10 October, was initially set for Francistown's Obed Itani Chilume Stadium. However, Botswana football authorities informed the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) that the stadium would be required for domestic fixtures, prompting the search for an alternative venue.

In a statement on Tuesday, ZIFA confirmed that a regional assessment identified only two stadiums meeting FIFA standards: Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg and Moses Mabhida in Durban. The Durban venue was ultimately selected due to its superior facilities, security, and cost-effectiveness.

ZIFA expressed disappointment at being unable to host the fixture on home soil but encouraged supporters to rally behind the Warriors ahead of the crucial encounter.

Some fans and analysts, however, have raised concerns that playing in South Africa effectively gives Bafana Bafana a home advantage, despite the match being designated as a Zimbabwe "home" game. With Zimbabwe already eliminated from contention for the 2026 World Cup, critics argue that revenue considerations may have taken precedence over national pride.