By The Numbers: Bafana vs Zimbabwe ends goalless

Bafana Bafana and Zimbabwe drew 0-0 in the penultimate round of World Cup qualifiers. The result ensured Bafana now have 15 points from their 9 games, but remain second in Group C, behind Benin. That’s because Benin managed a late 1-0 win in their penultimate game, opening up a two-point advantage over Bafana. Yet, Hugo Broos’ men are still in with a shout to qualify on the last day, and a win on Tuesday could be enough to go through automatically (if one other result goes their way). By The Numbers is a review of the weekend game.

Favourites frustrated

Bafana came into this game as heavy favourites, with bookmakers giving them an 80% chance of victory. After all they were facing a Zimbabwe side who were out of the reckoning for the World Cup, and yet to taste victory in the qualifiers. Having said that, was a cagey opening for both sides as the first half did not create too many opportunities. Bafana may have enjoyed most of the possession, but most of this was rather sterile in Bafana’s own half. The Zimbabweans were never going to let Bafana have this one easy.

70% – possession for Bafana in the first half

145 – Bafana passes in their own half of the field (63% of their pass total)

87 – Bafana passes in Zimbabwe’s half (37%)

7 – shots for Bafana in the first half (1 on target)

16 – touches in Zimbabwe’s box (a touch in the opposition box every 3 minutes)

In the second half, Bafana were more adventurous. Knowledge Musona’s red card also shifted things here, as Bafana smelt blood and went for the win. Even with the same ball possession, Bafana registered more shots and more box entries.

70% – possession for Bafana in the 2nd half

53 – passes in their own half of the field (only 25% of their pass total)

144 – Bafana passes in Zimbabwe’s half (75%)

17 – shots for Bafana in the 2nd half (2 on target)

29 – touches in Zimbabwe’s box (a touch in the box every minute-and-a-half)

By the end of a frustrating evening, Hugo Broos’ side had hit the post twice and had another effort cleared off the line. Even more infuriating, Bafana played with a man advantage for the last 30 minutes, but failed to take advantage. Having said that, this point may prove crucial come Tuesday, and successfully denying Zimbabwe a counter-attack goal could be seen in a different light then.

Sipho Mbule shines

The Man of the Match award went to Orlando Pirates’ midfielder Sipho Mbule, who had an influential game as the creative hub in Bafana’s midfield. The 27-year-old created our biggest chance of the night, which Lyle Foster failed to convert. Even beyond that chance, Mbule’s influence was evident all game.

7 – shots for Mbule in this game (more than any player on the field)

36 – accurate passes into forward zones (more than any player on the field)

7 – duels won (2nd for Bafana)

2 – dribbles completed (of 2 attempted)

100% – dribble success rate

The Permutations

The maths on Bafana’s end is pretty simple – they need a win to secure a ticket to the USA.

• A draw will knock them out of qualification (irrespective of other results)
• A loss will knock them out of qualification (irrespective of other results)
• Yet, that win must be coupled by Benin failing to win (Benin must either lose or draw)
  • If Benin loses and Bafana win, Bafana go through
  • If Benin draws, Bafana must win by a 2-goal margin to go through