Prediction Lesotho vs Zimbabwe 2026 – Betting Tips for the CAF World Cup Qualifiers on 13/10/2025

Match overview and form guide

Lesotho and Zimbabwe collide in what promises to be a tense, cagey encounter in Group Stage round 10 of the CAF World Cup Qualifiers on 13/10/2025. Lesotho arrive sitting fifth in the group with six points from nine games, while Zimbabwe occupy sixth with five points. On paper the gap is tiny, but the story beneath the numbers is instructive: both teams have struggled to convert chances into consistent results, and both have shown defensive frailties that have kept the mood low in recent weeks.

Lesotho’s recent run has been brutal to watch. Heavy defeats to Benin (4-0), South Africa (0-3) and Namibia (0-3) sit alongside a narrow 1-2 loss to Nigeria last time out. They have managed only five goals across nine group matches while shipping 14, a worrying ratio that highlights their susceptibility at the back and the scarcity of goals up front. Their overall form line reads as a team that is trying to hold shape but often comes undone against sharper opponents.

Zimbabwe, by contrast, have been a stubborn draw machine: five draws from nine matches signals resilience but also a chronic inability to finish. Their most recent fixture ended 0-0 against South Africa, evidence that they can grind out results against stronger sides. With five goals scored and 11 conceded in the group, Zimbabwe are far from prolific, yet their defensive discipline – reflected in multiple draws and two clean sheets on the campaign – suggests they will not be a pushover.

Tactical expectations and key trends

Expect a disciplined, low-tempo affair. Both sides average roughly five shots per game and share similar attacking output across the qualifying campaign; Lesotho’s shot volume is marginally higher but Zimbabwe land more of those attempts on target. The head-to-head history tilts slightly in Zimbabwe’s favour after a 2-0 victory in June 2024, but past meetings won’t determine a match that looks likely to be decided by narrow margins and tactical caution.

The statistics point to a match where chances will be at a premium. Over 2.5 goal occurrences for both teams this campaign are relatively low, and the high number of draws for Zimbabwe suggests neither side will want to open up recklessly. With clean sheets recorded by both teams and recent scorelines featuring shutouts, the game should be tight, tense and possibly decided in the margins.

Betting suggestion

Based on the low scoring trends, the defensive records and the frequency of draws for Zimbabwe, the most sensible market to target is the goal market. Back Under 2.5 goals. This selection aligns with both teams’ struggles to score consistently (each with just five goals in the group), the low over-2.5 percentages in their campaigns, and Zimbabwe’s knack for draws and shutouts in recent fixtures.