Baggy Blues head to Zimbabwe for historic qualifier
Mqondisi Dube | Friday September 5, 2025 12:00
This is the final stage before the 2027 World Cup, which South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe will jointly host.
The top two teams will progress to the competition, and for the first time, the Baggy Blues are in contention deep into the qualifying stage.
Hosts Zimbabwe will be joined by Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria in the battle for two berths reserved for qualification.
'This is the first time that we have arrived at such a proximity, to stake our claim for the honours at stake, and to express our readiness to lock horns at the global stage, post-Zimbabwe,' said BCA vice chairperson, Sumod Damodar.
'We wish to celebrate the present and to ignite the torch of hope, for a successful journey towards 2027. It is essential to rally the communities, to muster all our energies, and to garner support in unity, as the Baggy Blues take to the playing fields, to fulfil the nation’s dreams,' he added.
Botswana is in Group B with Tanzania, Uganda and tournament favourites, Zimbabwe.
The Baggy Blues kick start their campaign against Tanzania on September 26 at the Takashinga Sports Club before facing Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club two days later.
On Independence Day (September 30), the team will round off its campaign against Uganda.
Group A has Kenya, Namibia, Malawi, and Nigeria, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals. The two finalists are guaranteed a spot at the World Cup finals.