Starting with an enthralling battle between South Africa and Mozambique at the Free State Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 13:00 GMT+0, the 2025 COSAFA Cup gets off. With no precise referee information yet, this Group A match marks the start of the competition and creates conditions for a fierce regional contest.
While Mozambique, coming off a solid third-place performance in last year’s tournament, looks to challenge the hosts, South Africa hosting the event hopes to use their strong home record. This is a must-watch game since the prediction of the South Africa against Mozambique depends on recent form, key absences, and previous head-to-head statistics.
Betting Tips and Match Insights
To craft accurate South Africa vs Mozambique betting tips, understanding the teams’ recent performances and head-to-head history is crucial. The South Africa vs Mozambique prediction today considers both sides’ form, with South Africa unbeaten at home in 15 matches and Mozambique showing resilience in their African Cup of Nations qualification. Historical clashes in the COSAFA Cup favor South Africa slightly, but Mozambique’s knack for draws adds intrigue. This section prepares readers for detailed insights into recent results and key factors influencing the match. Expect a tight contest with tactical nuances and individual performances shaping the outcome.
South Africa Results
South Africa, under new COSAFA Cup coach Vela Khumalo, has shown resilience despite a recent loss in the African Nations Championship qualifiers. Their unbeaten streak of 10 matches prior to that defeat highlights their consistency, particularly at home. The team’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup and African Cup of Nations underscores their competitive edge.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 11/05/25 | ANC | South Africa vs Malawi | 2-0 | W |
| 03/05/25 | ANC | Malawi vs South Africa | 1-0 | L |
| 25/03/25 | WC | Benin vs South Africa | 0-2 | W |
| 21/03/25 | WC | South Africa vs Lesotho | 2-0 | W |
| 09/03/25 | ANC | Egypt vs South Africa | 1-3 | W |
South Africa’s home form remains a cornerstone, with victories against Malawi and Lesotho showcasing their attacking prowess. The loss to Malawi on the road exposed vulnerabilities in away games, but their home record suggests confidence. Three wins in the last five matches indicate stability, though the absence of Mamelodi Sundowns players may limit depth. Khumalo’s reliance on Kaizer Chiefs players could bring cohesion but lacks elite club experience. Overall, South Africa’s form points to a strong position heading into the COSAFA Cup opener.
Mozambique Results
Mozambique, led by Chiquinho Conde, has had a mixed but promising run since their third-place finish in the 2024 COSAFA Cup. Their qualification for the African Cup of Nations reflects progress, though a heavy defeat to Algeria in World Cup qualifiers exposed defensive frailties. A recent 1-0 warm-up win over Eswatini boosts their confidence.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 25/03/25 | WC | Algeria vs Mozambique | 5-1 | L |
| 20/03/25 | WC | Mozambique vs Uganda | 3-1 | W |
| 28/12/24 | ANC | Zambia vs Mozambique | 3-0 | L |
| 21/12/24 | ANC | Mozambique vs Zambia | 0-3 | L |
| 19/11/24 | ACN | Guinea Bissau vs Mozambique | 1-2 | W |
Mozambique’s recent results reveal inconsistency, with two wins overshadowed by three losses, including heavy defeats to Zambia and Algeria. The victory over Uganda highlights their attacking potential, driven by players like Antonia Sumbane. Defensive lapses, particularly in high-stakes matches, remain a concern. The absence of key players like Edmilson Dove may weaken their backline. However, their warm-up win suggests they are peaking at the right time for the tournament.
South Africa vs Mozambique Head-to-Head Results
The rivalry between South Africa and Mozambique in the COSAFA Cup is well-documented, with six prior meetings producing competitive results. South Africa holds a slight edge with three wins to Mozambique’s one, but draws have been frequent. Their most recent clash in 2024 ended in a stalemate, setting the stage for another close battle.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result |
| 26/06/24 | COP | South Africa vs Mozambique | 1-1 |
| 17/11/22 | FI | South Africa vs Mozambique | 2-1 |
| 13/07/22 | COP | South Africa vs Mozambique | 0-0 |
| 16/07/21 | COP | South Africa vs Mozambique | 3-0 |
| 15/11/16 | FI | Mozambique vs South Africa | 1-1 |
South Africa’s dominance in earlier encounters, like the 3-0 win in 2021, contrasts with recent draws, indicating Mozambique’s growing competitiveness. Three of the last five matches produced low-scoring outcomes, suggesting tight, tactical battles. Mozambique’s ability to hold South Africa to draws in recent years adds unpredictability to this fixture.
South Africa Possible Starting Lineup
South Africa is expected to deploy a 4-4-2 formation, leveraging home advantage with a balanced attack led by Kaizer Chiefs’ Mduduzi Shabalala and Orlando Pirates’ Boitumelo Radiopane.
Bvuma (GK), McCarthy (DF), Mcaba (DF), Mngonyama (DF), Gcaba (DF), Cele (MF), Mkhize (MF), Dithejane (MF), Barns (MF), Shabalala (FW), Radiopane (FW)
Mozambique Possible Starting Lineup
Mozambique is likely to opt for a 4-4-2 setup, focusing on counter-attacks with Antonia Sumbane and Francisco Manhique as key threats.
Joao (GK), Cuboco (DF), Massuanganhe (DF), Guebuza (DF), Valter (DF), Abdala (MF), Francisco (MF), Sumbane (MF), Mucuana (MF), Neves (FW)), Manhique (FW)
Injured and Questionable Players
Player availability is a critical factor for the South Africa vs Mozambique match, with both teams missing key figures due to injuries, club commitments, or tactical decisions. The table below details confirmed and potential absences, including the reason for their unavailability. This information is based on recent squad announcements and team news.
| Team | Player | Reason |
| South Africa | Mamelodi Sundowns Players | Club commitments (CAF Champions League final) |
| South Africa | Wandile Duba | Questionable (minor injury) |
| Mozambique | Edmilson Dove | Omitted (tactical decision) |
| Mozambique | Elias Pelembe | Omitted (tactical decision) |
| Mozambique | Keyns Abdala | Questionable (fitness concerns) |
Key Factors to Watch
Both teams enter the match with strengths and vulnerabilities that could tip the scales. South Africa’s home advantage and Mozambique’s recent form make this a fascinating contest. Below are critical elements to consider for the South Africa vs Mozambique prediction 2025.
- South Africa’s Home Form: Unbeaten in 15 home matches, Bafana Bafana thrive in front of their fans;
- Mozambique’s Defensive Issues: Conceding eight goals in their last three losses highlights backline concerns;
- Key Absences: South Africa misses Mamelodi Sundowns stars, while Mozambique omits Edmilson Dove;
- Coaching Impact: Vela Khumalo’s inexperience at this level contrasts with Chiquinho Conde’s proven track record;
- Player Form: Mduduzi Shabalala (South Africa) and Antonia Sumbane (Mozambique) are in fine scoring form;
- Recent Success: South Africa’s AFCON and World Cup qualifier success boosts morale, while Mozambique’s third-place COSAFA finish adds confidence;
- Fatigue Factor: South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs players may carry fatigue from recent club commitments;
- Tactical Setup: South Africa’s attacking 4-3-3 could exploit Mozambique’s shaky defense, but Os Mambas’ counter-attacks pose a threat.
Free Tips on South Africa vs Mozambique
For the South Africa vs Mozambique clash in the 2025 COSAFA Cup, strategic betting requires a deep dive into specific match dynamics. These free tips focus on unique statistical and contextual factors that can guide your wagers. Below are five carefully selected pointers to enhance your South Africa vs Mozambique betting approach.
- Head-to-Head Trends: Historical data shows three of the last five encounters between South Africa and Mozambique ended with one goal or fewer, suggesting a low-scoring game is likely.
- Player Scoring Form: South Africa’s Mduduzi Shabalala and Mozambique’s Antonia Sumbane have been pivotal in recent matches, increasing the chance of either team scoring through these key attackers.
- Pitch and Weather Impact: Bloemfontein’s Toyota Stadium has a well-maintained grass pitch, but potential June rain could slow play, favoring South Africa’s controlled passing style over Mozambique’s counter-attacks.
- Referee Tendencies: While specific referee details are unavailable, COSAFA Cup officials often issue frequent cards in tight matches, making over 3.5 cards a viable bet.
- Fixture Congestion: South Africa’s players, particularly from Kaizer Chiefs, face a packed schedule, which could lead to fatigue and impact their second-half performance.
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South Africa vs Mozambique Match Prediction 2025
Driven by South Africa’s extraordinary home record and Mozambique’s defensive weaknesses, the match prediction for South Africa against Mozambique points toward a limited home triumph. Despite missing Mamelodi Sundowns stars, Bafana Bafana has an advantage from her 15-match unbeaten run at home and recent victory in high-stakes qualifications. Though their counter-attacking threat, led by Sumbane, cannot be discounted, Mozambique’s severe losses to Algeria and Zambia expose a backline that suffers under pressure. Tight encounters, with three of the last five head-to-heads generating one goal or less, indicate a low-scoring affair based on historical records. Under Khumalo, South Africa’s tactical discipline along with home support should see them control possession and generate more opportunities. Reflecting this, the South Africa vs Mozambique odds probably favor the hosts but with value in under 2.5 goals based on recent trends. South Africa feels likely to have a 1-0 or 2-1 victory since Mozambique’s tenacity might keep the game tight but insufficient to guarantee a result.
Our Prediction: South Africa 1-0 Mozambique
| Prediction Type | Prediction | Odds |
| Match Outcome | South Africa Win | 2.07 |
| Total Goals | Under 2.5 Goals | 1.85 |
| Both Teams to Score | No | 2.02 |
Place your bets confidently, as the data supports a South Africa victory. You can place your bet on the South Africa vs Mozambique match at bc.game, where competitive odds and a seamless betting experience await.
