Ghana’s group opponents Zimbabwe were held at home by neighbours South Africa in the opening fixture of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifications on Friday afternoon.
The Warriors drew 0-0 with the Bafana Bafana at the National Sports Stadium in Harare in their Group G match game in the group that also involves Ghana and Ethiopia.
The result means the Black Stars will go straight to the top of the group if they beat Ethiopia in the group’s other game to be played in the city of Cape Coast on Friday night.
Hugo Broos who was in charge of the South Africa team for his very first competitive match named a very strong and attacking starting lineup to face Zimbabwe.
Percy Tau Muzi, Luther Singh, Gift Links and Evidence Makgopa were all handed starting roles for the match.
Mothobi Mvala and Rushine De Reuck were the preferred choice of the Belgian trainer the central defence with Thapelo Morena and Nyiko Mobbie as fullbacks.
Zdravko Logarusic on the other hand named a starting lineup with a very compact midfield leaving only Olympique Lyon’s Tinotenda Kadewere in a arrow head attack.
Khama Billiat and Knowledge Musona also made the starting line-up but were limited to midfield duties on the afternoon.
It was an end to end stuff between the Warriors and Bafana Bafana in the first half but there was no breakthrough from either side.
South Africa had an improved performance in the second half but failed to create any meaningful opportunity in front of goal.
Zimbabwe also failed to threaten the Bafana Bafana throughout the second half of the game which gives Ghana some hope going into Monday’s clash between the two sides.
South Africa will host Ghana at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg in their next match whereas Zimbabwe travel to Ethiopia on Monday 6 September 2021.