R E C C O S N A C I R F THE A been eliminated in an Afcon quarterfinal match against Mali. In 2002, when Mali hosted the continental showpiece, they beat Bafana Bafana 2-0 in the quarter-finals. Bafana were the first to score through pacey striker Tokelo Rantie in the 30th minute following a brilliant combination initiated by midfielder maestro May Mahlangu and Thuso Phala. However, Bafana Bafana head coach, Gordon Igesund was forced to substitute Rantie after he sustained an injury. He was replaced by Lehlohonolo Majoro.
E C E I P W O SH s Some Interesting Fact
South Africa’s chances to win the Africa Cup of Nations may be slim according to many pundits, but celebrated former Coach Clive Barker doesn’t believe the national side will falter during their quest to become champions of Africa. With the final 23-man squad set thousands of South Africans are entering into discussion surrounding the national team’s recent performances and whether or not Bafana Bafana are able to recapture the glory of 16 years ago. However, the face of African football has changed since 1996, where only a handful of household names could be found plying their trade in Europe’s elite clubs. The competitiveness inherent in African football in 2013 is stronger than in 1996 when Bafana Bafana won their maiden continental championship. This means the task ahead of the national side is only tougher, even though they are playing at home once more, they will be facing teams which have talent beyond their own. “Football is now an oyster and almost every top side has an African player in it,” Barker told Spotong. “African football has evolved and improved. The great personalities in African football have transformed the game. There are collectively a lot more talented players than in 1996.” Barker recognises the transformation of African football but will not discount South Africa’s chances to win the tournament in future. His fervent belief in the team may not be shared by many, but the former national coach has confidence in Gordon Igesund to turn the team around.
of Nations ange Africa Cup er showpiece, Or cc auspice e so t th r es de gg bi un ’s frica 1957 organised in ld unding he fo st e fir Th s ball (CAF). (AFCON) wa ns of African Foot But io a. at er ric Af ed h nf ut Co So e of th Ethiopia and n, da Su artheid t, ap yp Eg en e th s of the members ar due to the policie n greatly, with 16 ed lifi ua sq di s wa South Africa ment has grow e then the tourna ship. government. Sinc on pi am ch g for the nations competin CON, having won the history of AF in n tio na as the ul sf es t succ Egypt was known eroon Egypt is the mos (including when m es Ca d tim n an a ve an se t Gh d 1971). the tournamen between 1958 an ic bl pu Re AB AR United . e title four times have both won th ey became e history when th ad m 96 19 of ss ’s cla n the prestigious The Bafana Bafana e Southern African region to wi th . That was two m rk ip of Clive Ba er the first team fro rsh to en m e th r unde ational football title 17 years ago try was re-admitted to the intern mbian un 94 co theid in 19 . Za years after the e demise of apar N title after th CO ng AF wi llo en fo aid n m io ’s competit the country n wo o ol op ol ip national side, Ch ird final last year. playing in their th and by the Northern been dominated ly na fa us io Ba ev ed pr rn d ea ha N The tournament ng the 1996 AFCO 16th on the FIFA’s countries. Winni ent and in nt co e Western African th on g r one rankin Bafana the numbe g. in world rank s’ trounced the al when the ‘Boy e, fin ic ep 96 19 e on as a substitut Who can forget th l with Mark Williams, who came ni Tunisian side two- al hero? go otw a to in g in turn
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