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JOHANNESBURG. — Bafana Bafana host old foes Zimbabwe tomorrow in their crucial 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier, a meeting against one of the first teams they clashed with on their return to international football in 1992.
In the 14 past meetings, there have been six wins each and two draws, the latest in Harare at the start of the qualifiers in September, which suggesting there has been nothing much to choose between the two sides.
Zimbabwe had been a regular opponent down the years, with only Zambia (23 meetings), Botswana (17) and Nigeria (15) having clashed more often with Bafana.
Here is a look back at those 14 previous games.
1994 African Nations Cup qualifier
National Stadium, Harare
August 16, 1992
Zimbabwe (2) 4 (Takawira 8’, Gumbo 19’, P Ndlovu 49’ pen, 58’)
South Africa (1) 1 (Kambule 21’)
A first ever qualifier for Bafana Bafana in any competition and it proved a chastening moment as a Zimbabwe side with the likes of Bruce Grobbelaar, Francis Shonhai, Wilfred Mugeyi and Peter Ndlovu put them to the sword.
Sam Kambule brought the visitors back into it by half as they trailed only 2-1, but in the second period Zimbabwe’s quality shone through and they romped to the win.
A number of these Bafana players would go on to achieve great things though, such as David Nyathi, Lucas Radebe, Neil Tovey, Doctor Khumalo and Phil Masinga, who lifted the trophy four years later.
1994 African Nations Cup qualifier
Soccer City, Johannesburg
April 24, 1993
South Africa (1) 1 (Maponyane 6’)
Zimbabwe (0) 1 (Nkonjera 82’)
Nine months later and Bafana were more prepared for the rigours of international football and showed their improvement with a much better display.
They led early through Marks Maponyane, the first of two international goals he would score in his 13 caps, but were penned back late on by an equaliser from Benjamin Nkonjera.
Nkonjera, a childhood friend of Peter Ndlovu, was an excellent player who sadly passed away after a short illness in 1999.
2002 World Cup qualifier
National Sports Stadium, Harare
July 9, 2000
Zimbabwe 0
South Africa (1) 2 (Buckley 7’, 82’)
*match abandoned after 82 minutes — result verified by FIFA
A match that will live in infamy after 12 fans died in a stampede.
Fans had thrown bottles and other objects at Bafana players after Delron Buckley’s second goal in the 2-0 win. The game was later abandoned.
2000 COSAFA Cup semi-final
Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth
July 29, 2000
South Africa 0
Zimbabwe (1) 1 (Tembo 11’)
Just three weeks later the teams met again, though this time on South African soil and with much changed teams in the COSAFA Cup.
In fact, Siyabonga Nomvete was the only South African to play in both games as fringe, local players were given a run and Andile Sixaba, Papi Mbele and Fees Moloi earning caps.
The only goal of the game was scored by current SuperSport United coach Kaitano Tembo, in what will have been a sweet moment for him.
2002 World Cup qualifier
Soccer City, Johannesburg
May 5, 2001
South Africa (2) 2 (Bartlett 17’,
McCarthy 39’)
Zimbabwe (0) 1 (P Ndlovu 53’ pen)
The return fixture in the World Cup qualifiers that was won by Bafana as their two lead forwards Bartlett and McCarthy were both on the score-sheet in the first half.
A Peter Ndlovu penalty in the second period set up a tense finish, but the home side held on for the vital win. — Supersport.com
Online Reporter