Zimbabwe will face Benin on Matchday 5 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. The match begins at 6 PM CAT and will be broadcasted live by ZBC TV and streamed on FIFA Plus. Coaches from both teams highlight the significance of the game, with team updates on players and recent performance statistics provided.
Zimbabwe is set to face Benin on Matchday 5 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Group C. This pivotal match will take place at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa, on Thursday at 6 PM CAT. The clash will occur on neutral ground due to the unavailability of suitable stadiums in Zimbabwe, marking their first encounter in recent times.
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has announced that state broadcaster ZBC TV will air the match live, accessible via terrestrial feed, DStv Zimbabwe, and Zim Digital Decoder. Additionally, the FIFA Plus app will provide live streaming, with Soccer24 offering comprehensive updates throughout the game. The involvement of SABC Sport and SuperSport TV is pending confirmation of their broadcasting schedule.
Michael Nees, coach of the Warriors, expressed optimism regarding the match, stating, “Benin have a good quality… But we have to take it with positivity and self-confidence, and give everything in our power to deliver a good performance.” Gernot Rohr, Benin’s coach, acknowledged the significance of the game, stating, “It’s a match everyone wants to win. We respect our opponents, who qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations…”
The Warriors have welcomed back former captain Knowledge Musona, who had previously retired, while current captain Marvelous Nakamba is unavailable due to injury and has been replaced by Richard Hachiro. Isheanesu Mauchi is a notable player with no prior national team caps in the Zimbabwe squad. In contrast, Benin has retained most players from recent matches, though influential players Olivier Verdon, Tosin Aiyegun, and Cédric Hountondji will be absent. Newcomer Candas Fiogbé has been called up, though his starting role remains uncertain.
In terms of World Cup Qualifying form, Zimbabwe currently holds a record of DDLL, placing them sixth. Benin, on the other hand, is positioned first with a record of LDWW. The FIFA rankings reflect Zimbabwe at 121 and Benin at 94, underscoring Benin’s stronger current position in international football.
In summary, Zimbabwe’s upcoming match against Benin is pivotal for their World Cup qualifying campaign, with critical team updates, coach insights, and broadcasting information outlined. The match will take place in Durban, and both teams hold distinct aspirations for victory, despite their differing form and rankings. Fans can look forward to a competitive showdown as they anticipate how these elements will play out during the game.
Original Source: www.soccer24.co.zw
