Nigeria are also back in the race to win the group and go to next year’s finals after a 2-1 win over Lesotho in Polokwane and now host Benin in their last game on Tuesday, which, if they win, will allow South Africa to qualify with a home win over Rwanda in Nelspruit at the same time.
But having had a comfortable lead in the standings one month ago, Bafana are now reliant on the Super Eagles doing them a favour when the group action comes to a close on Tuesday.
The draw with Zimbabwe compounds the folly of having three points docked last month by FIFA because they fielded a defaulter in the World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in March.
Failure to qualify could see the end of veteran coach Hugo Broos, who has said he intends retiring and is only hanging around to try and get to the 2026 tournament in North America.
His tactics came under question as he removed the dangerous-looking Mohau Nkota at half-time and failed to put on an extra attacker when Zimbabwe went down to 10 men in the 63rd minute when veteran Knowledge Musona was sent off.
A red card in stoppage time for 20-year-old defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi also compounds South Africa’s woes as they head to Mpumalanga for their last fixture of the campaign.
Bafana hit the woodwork twice and had an effort cleared off the line as they dominated the match, but two heroic saves from Ronwen Williams at the end of the game prevented a snatch-and-grab win for Zimbabwe, who celebrated furiously at the end after holding their neighbours to a draw.
Lyle Foster struck the woodwork in the second half after having an earlier effort miraculously cleared off the line by Divine Lunga.
Nkota also hit the upright in the first half with a swirling long-range left footer.
South Africa dominated as Zimbabwe sat deep and showed little initial adventure, losing the duels in midfield and being beaten down the flanks.
Nkota and Oswin Appollis both made headway on their respective wings, but Appollis was poor with his crosses and passes.
Sipho Mbule, brought into the playmaking role despite the fact he is not a regular at club level with Orlando Pirates, showed some flashy touches and might have been in goal had he not been denied by a timely tackle from Zimbabwe captain Marvelous Nkamaba in the 36th minute.
Mbule had several efforts on goal, but his shooting was woeful.
There was also an opportunity from the last corner of the first half as Zimbabwe goalkeeper Washington Arubi came off his line but then hesitated and was caught in no-man’s land, but Nkosinathi Sibisi put his header over the crossbar, squandering a good chance.
Zimbabwe had two efforts at Williams in the first half from former Kaizer Chiefs marksman Musona and Tawanda Chirwa, while a mazy run into the penalty area by Marshall Munetsi was stopped by Mbokazi’s firm tackle.
Nkota was surprisingly taken off at halftime for Thapelo Morena, while Bathusi Aubaas replaced Sphephelo Sithole in the hardman midfield role.
But when Musona was sent for an early shower, Broos failed to take off a defensive player and put in an additional striker, electing not to exploit the one-man advantage.
In the end, it was a desperate South Africa who threw everything forward and came close to being caught on the counter.