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On Tuesday night, South African midfielder, Teboho Mokoena scored a stunning freekick to stab the hearts of Moroccans as Bafana Bafana progressed to the quarter-finals of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
It was a fascinating night across the streets of Johannesburg and Pretoria; fireworks and loud Amapiano music banging in the air, Bafana Bafana is back, the South African national team are interestingly one of the surprise package(s) of the ongoing AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast, safe to say.
Following an opening day defeat against Mali in Group E, Bafana Bafana progressed with 4 points before meeting Morocco in the round of 16, shoving them aside 2-0 courtesy of goals from Evidence Makgopa and Teboho Mokoena.
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On Saturday, February 3, exactly 28 years after they won their first and only AFCON title, the Bafana Bafana of South Africa will be facing the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde. They will be looking to repeat the impeccable achievement of the class of ’96.
In this article, News Round The Clock (NRTC) will be discussing how South Africa conquered Africa in the midst of intense racism, cultural segregation and desperation for identity.
AFCON 1996: A story of hope, redemption and national identity
On February 3, 1996, Bafana Bafana won the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title before their home fans. At the time, it was a divided nation; a nation plagued with racism and tribal prejudice, albeit, football was about to align the whites, black and other colours in the nation; the trophy was about to redefine how South Africans not only perceive football but wage war for the crest on their chests.
The 2-0 win against Tunisia in Johannesburg on this fateful night revolutionized football in South Africa; it honoured the then-president of the nation, Nelson Mandela, an anti-apartheid activist and one of the most prominent figures from across Africa who had served 27 years in prison for agitating for the freedom of black people.
South Africa hosted and won the 1996 AFCON title, deservedly so. A team led by coach Clive Barker, they realized the only way to repay the agitations and struggles of Nelson Mandela was to solidify their position by allowing the gold stay in their national museum.
Bafana Bafana Goes For Gold: How Did South Africa Emerge Victorious in ’96
The 1996 African Cup of Nations tournament wasn’t only historic for South Africans, it was equally quintessential in the development of the tournament itself. For the first time in the competition’s history, it was expanded to 16 teams- this meant there will be a quarter-final phase prior to the semi-finals.
At the time, the Super Eagles of Nigeria had to withdraw in the last minute of competition due to pressure from the then-dictator and head of state, Sani Abacha. Reducing the number of participants to 15.
In Group A, South Africa commenced the tournament on an impressive note defeating the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 3-0.
A goal from Mark Williams against Angola was enough to solidify their qualification to the next round of the tournament. Despite losing 1-0 to Egypt in the last group match, they finished atop of Group A.
Knockout Phases…
Goals from Mark Fish and John Moshoeu scored to hand South Africa a win 2-1 against Algeria.
In the semi-finals against Ghana, the South African side came out 3-0 winners.
In front of the then-South African president, Nelson Mandela, deputy president F. W. de Klerk and by then Sport Minister Steve Tshwete, and Bafana Bafana defeating Tunisia 2-0 courtesy of a Mark Williams‘ brace. They lifted the trophy in front of the multiracial home crowd.
