Munetsi Ready to Take the Field at Moses Mabhida Stadium for Zimbabwe’s World Cup Qualifier
Wolves’ recent signing, Marshall Munetsi, is expected to play at the Moses Mabhida Stadium next month, after the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) confirmed that their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Benin will be held there.
The match is slated for 20 March at the famous FIFA World Cup venue in Durban, having moved from Polokwane’s Peter Mokaba Stadium. This relocation was necessary as Bafana Bafana will face Lesotho at Peter Mokaba Stadium on 17 March, and the pitch requires time to recuperate following a music concert in December.
At present, Zimbabwe ranks among 17 African member associations barred from hosting matches due to inadequate facilities. Likewise, Lesotho has been conducting its World Cup qualifiers in neighboring South Africa, along with Namibia.
South Africa is benefiting from its considerable investment in state-of-the-art stadiums built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Since the qualifying rounds for the 2026 World Cup began, Zimbabwe has played two matches in South Africa and one in Rwanda. They managed a draw against Nigeria in Rwanda but lost to Lesotho at Orlando Stadium.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) is delighted to announce that the Zimbabwe Senior Men’s National Team, the Warriors, will compete in their Matchday 5, Group C, FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Benin at the renowned Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa,” ZIFA noted in a statement.
ZIFA’s statement reveals that Munetsi, who joined Wolves in the January transfer window from the French club Reims, will make his appearance at this prestigious venue. Munetsi, a former player for Orlando Pirates, nearly scored for Wolves against Liverpool at Anfield last Sunday, but his one-on-one chance was thwarted by goalkeeper Alisson Becker.
Competing in South Africa provides an edge for Zimbabwe, as many players are either based there or have experience playing in the country, creating a familiar environment.
Nevertheless, Zimbabwe currently finds itself at the bottom of Group C with just two points after four matches. They have not won any of their last ten World Cup qualifiers, recording five draws and five defeats, with their most recent victory against Somalia in September 2019.