Bafana’s top five World Cup qualifier wins
South Africa will start another bid to qualify for the World Cup when they host Benin in the opening match of their 2026 preliminaries campaign in Durban on Saturday.
Here we go! Come show your love and support! We need you!!!!! #WCQ #BafanaPride https://t.co/p9npmzBuc3 pic.twitter.com/a3RlbB4Hr4 — Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) November 14, 2023
It is a tricky start for Hugo Broos’ side as they look to qualify for the global finals for the first time in over 20 years – not withstanding their appearance as hosts in 2010.
We pick five of their best displays in World Cup qualifiers over the last 30 years.
ZAIRE 1 SOUTH AFRICA 2
When it comes to the 1998 qualification campaign, everybody remembers Phil Masinga’s rocket shot at home to Congo that took Bafana to France, but there were some vital matches before that which paved the way.
Bafana had made an iffy start when they drew in Zambia and then lost 2-0 in Congo, handing the initiative to the latter.
They needed a result in their away clash with Zaire (now DR Congo) on April 27, 1997, a game that was played in neutral Togo due to the civil war in their hosts’ country.
It would be a bruising battle in which Doctor Khumalo gave Bafana the lead, only for young Zaire midfielder Zico Tumba to equalise shortly afterwards.
It took guts and nerves of steel, but Masinga grabbed a winner for Clive Barker’s side and they were able to hold on for a precious victory.
SOUTH AFRICA 3 ZAMBIA 0
Just six weeks later Bafana welcomed Zambia to Soccer City for their next game and once more they needed a big performance.
In between this match and the win in Zaire they had been to England and lost 2-1 at Old Trafford, and also lost a friendly against Netherlands 2-0 in Johannesburg.
That second
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