As Bafana Bafana prepare to take on Mali in their first 2024 Africa Cup of Nations clash, Soccer Laduma looks at how they have performed previously in opening matches at the competition.
Hugo Broos' men have a tough challenge against the West Africans with history on their side when it comes to opening matches. Since 1996, when Bafana Bafana first participated and won the competition, the national team has lost on three opening matches. Two of the three defeats came in the last two editions they participated in, so Broos and his men will be looking to avoid a third straight loss in an opening match at AFCON.
1996: South Africa 3 Cameroon 0
As hosts in 1996, Bafana Bafana had a solid start, cruising past Cameroon to send out a strong message early on in the competition. Phil Masinga, Mark Williams and John 'Shoes' Moshoeu were on the scoresheet for the side that was coached by Clive Barker.
1998: South Africa 0 Angola 0
Coached by the legendary Jomo Sono, Bafana Bafana went into the 1998 competition in Burkina Faso as defending champions, but were unable to get off to a winning start as Angola held them to a goalless draw.
2000: South Africa 3 Gabon 1
Runners-up in 1998, Bafana Bafana went into the 2000 tournament determined to make a good start. A 3-1 victory was inspired by a Shaun Bartlett brace, after midfielder Dumisa Ngobe had opened the scoring for the South Africans.
2002: South Africa 0 Burkina Faso 0
Bafana Bafana took on Burkina Faso in a group B clash in Mali, but they were unable to make a winning start to the competition, playing out to a goalless draw.
2004: South Africa 2 Benin 0
Siyabonga Nomvethe inspired this victory for Bafana Bafana, netting a second half brace to secure three points but it was not enough as South Africa were knocked out in the group stages.
2006: South Africa 0 Guinea 2
Coached by the late Ted Dumitru, Bafana Bafana lost an opening game for the first time in their history, 10 years after lifting the title on home soil. The two goals were conceded in the final 12 minutes of the game.
2008: South Africa 1 Angola 1
Elrio Van Heerden rescued a point for Bafana Bafana in this opener in Ghana, netting in the final three minutes of regulation time to cancel out Angola's first half goal from former Manchester United striker Manucho.
2013: South Africa 0 Cape Verde 0
After missing out on the 2010 and 2012 editions, Bafana Bafana made a return as hosts in 2013, as the tournament switched to odd-number years for the first time. It was not a convincing start as they drew 0-0 with Cape Verde.
2015: Algeria 3 South Africa 1
Bafana Bafana suffered its biggest defeat in an opening match at AFCON, going down 3-1 to North Africans Algeria. Bafana Bafana's only goal was scored by Thuso Phala.
2019: Ivory Coast 1 South Africa 0
Bafana Bafana lost another opening match four years later on their return to the competition, after failing to qualify in 2017. It was Ivory Coast who edged the South Africans, thanks to a goal by Jonathan Kodjia.
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