After facing Ivory Coast this Friday, the Blues of Didier Deschamps are opposed to Bafana Bafana this Tuesday (9:15 p.m.).
An honorable record against the France team
The France team and the South African selection have already faced each other four times. And the record of the Bafana Bafana against the Blues, without being exceptional, is rather honorable: two defeats, a draw and a victory. A very important success obtained in a major competition: the 2010 World Cup organized… at “the rainbow nation”. This June 22, 2010, the selection led by Raymond Domenech, already in bad shape after their draw against Uruguay (0-0) then by their loss against Mexico (0-2) and marked by the Knysna crisis, collapsed, missing his slim chance of reaching the stage of the knockout stages of the World Cup. The first half had been nightmarish for the French, with the opener of Bongani Khumalo (20e), le but du break de Katlego Mphela (37e) and the exclusion of Yoann Gourcuff. Florent Malouda had given some hope to his teammates in the second half (70e), but the France team bowed out, leaving the World Cup in disgrace.
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A victory in the African Cup of Nations…
South Africa’s track record is not consistent, even on a continental scale. Among the various reasons that can explain it, one stands out in particular. For a long time, the South African nation was divided by apartheid – while the situation improved, it also did not become optimal – and as a result, its football federation saw itself, for very long years, being “expelled” from Fifa; a situation that then prevented her from taking part in competitions. This is why – at least in part – the Bafana Bafana have “only one” African Cup of Nations to their credit, a trophy won in 1996. During their footballing golden age, they nevertheless obtained other very good results in the queen competition of the African continent since they were finalists in 1998 and semi-finalists in 2000.
…and three World Cup appearances
In its “short” international sporting history, the South African selection has nevertheless had the opportunity to participate in three different editions of the World Cup, without succeeding in leaving the group stage. The first time was in 1998… in France. For their entry into the competition, the Bafana Bafana had largely lost against the Blues of Aimé Jacquet (3-0). Christophe Dugarry opened the scoring in the first half (35e) then, at the end of the match, the Tricolores had driven the point home thanks to a goal against his camp by Pierre Issa (78e) and young Thierry Henry in added time (90e+2). In 2002, the “AFS” also qualified for the World Cup. She had not gone far from reaching the round of 16, overtaken by Paraguay … for a less good attack. His last participation in a World Cup dates back to 2010, at home. If she had managed to win against Raymond Domenech’s Blues in the last group match, she had failed to finish in the first two places in her group.
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A Belgian coach
In its history, South Africa has had coaches of various nationalities. In addition to South African technicians, logically the most numerous, the Bafana Bafana have also been led by Peruvian (Augusto Palacios), French (Philippe Troussier), Portuguese (Carlos Queiroz), Scottish (Stuart Baxter twice) coaches, Romanian (Ted Dumitru) or Brazilians (Carlos Alberto Parreira twice and Joel Santana). Currently, it is a Belgian technician at the head of the South African selection: Hugo Broos. A recognized former coach in Belgium (FC Bruges, Excelsior Mouscron, RSC Anderlecht, KRC Genk…), the former defender notably continued his career in Africa by taking charge of JS Kabylie (Algeria), NA Hussein Dey ( Algeria) and the Cameroonian selection. It was on May 5, 2021 that he became the manager of South Africa. So far, his record speaks for him: 5 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss. The only downside, he failed to qualify his team for the next World Cup in Qatar.
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A workforce evolving mainly in South Africa
It’s unusual enough to be underlined. In the list unveiled by Hugo Broos to face Guinea and France during this international break, no player is playing in Europe apart from Lyle Forster, who defends the colors of KVC Westerlo (2e Belgian division). Some elements – Fagrie Lakay (Pyramids FC), Percy Tau (Al Ahly) – evolve on the African continent in the Egyptian championship. Bongokuhle Hlongwane, for his part, plays in MLS (USA), at Minnesota United FC. All the other players evolve in the South African championship. Note that the Trojan Lebo Mothiba, who recently recovered from a serious injury, was not invited to this gathering. This match, this Tuesday evening (9:15 p.m.), should therefore be an opportunity to discover new players.