The Crest

Tag: Bafana Bafana

  • 2026 World Cup: Nigeria Hold South Africa 1-1

    2026 World Cup: Nigeria Hold South Africa 1-1

    Though they played out their hearts in the must-win 2026 World Cup qualifier against group leaders, South Africa, Nigeria only managed to get a 1-1 draw from the cracker at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.

    The Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana shared one point apiece from the intense qualifying match.

    Ironically, it was Nigeria that gave the South Africans an early lead when Captain William Troost-Ekong scored an own goal in the 25th minute. Thereafter, the battle for the three crucial points intensified as both teams battled for control.

    Nigeria would, however, level scores in the dying minutes of the first half with a 44th minute header by Calvin Bassey that hit a perfect angle behind the net. The timely goal set the stage for a thrilling second half with both teams trying very hard to secure a berth at the 2026 World Cup.

    Nigeria responded, with Calvin Bassey’s header to level the score 45th minute. The teams went into the break with everything to play for, setting the stage for a thrilling second half in this crucial Group C encounter to boost their chances at securing a spot at the 2026 World Cup.

    Meanwhile, hours before the cracker at Bloemfontein, the world football governing body, FIFA, had issued an official communication on its official X handle, clarifying the permutations in Africa’s Group C.

    Before the match, Bafana Bafana led the group with 16 points, six clear of the Super Eagles who have struggled to chalk up 10 points with just two wins from seven matches. Benin Republic remained in the race with 11 points as they prepared to host Lesotho in Abidjan on Tuesday.

    Here is the official statement by FIFA on X: “Two more teams could secure @fifaworldcup 26 qualification today. Egypt will qualify if they beat Burkina Faso, while South Africa will qualify if they beat Nigeria, and Benin fail to beat Lesotho.”

    But the clarification has fueled fresh debate among fans, particularly regarding the unresolved disciplinary case involving South Africa.

    Before its encounter against the Super Eagles on Tuesday, Bafana Bafana were facing the possibility of slammed with a three-point and three-goal penalty for allegedly fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho in March.

  • World Cup 2026: Draw Against South Africa Puts Nigeria’s Qualification in Jeopardy

    World Cup 2026: Draw Against South Africa Puts Nigeria’s Qualification in Jeopardy

    The chances of the Nigeria’s national soccer team, the Super Eagles, narrowed dangerously, Friday, as they struggled to get a 1-1 draw in their make-or-break tie against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

    The match was played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Friday.

    The stalemate has put Nigeria’s chances of qualifying in serious jeopardy.

    The result will also put Finidi George under pressure as qualifying Nigeria for the World Cup is one of the core mandates of his employment as the Super Eagles coach.

    With the result, Nigeria now placed fifth in the 10-match competition. in a table of six teams after three matches.

    Bafana Bafana’s Themba Zwane put South Africa in the lead in the 29th minute of the match.

    Fisayo Dele-Bashiru raised Nigeria’s hope in the 46th minute when he powered a low shot to the back of the net. But the South Africans frustrated all efforts by the Super Eagles to increase the tally.

    The team will travel to Abdijan on Monday, June 10, 2024, to square up to the Squirrels of Benin who are sitting pretty in the third position in the table.

    The Super Eagles/Bafana Bafana match was Coach Finidi George’s baptism of fire as Nigeria’s coach.

  • AFCON: South Africa Seek Vengeance in Semi-Final Cracker against Nigeria

    By Damola Emmanuel.

    South Africa’s Bafana Bafana will be seething with vengeance, next Wednesday, as they square up against Cup favourites, Super Eagles of Nigeria, in the Semi-Final of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.

    The semi-final cracker will be played in Bouake, the second largest city in Cote D’Ivoire with a population of 740,000 (2021 census).

    South Africa and Cape Verde, Saturday evening, played a barren draw in both regulation time and extra time, before Bafana Bafana won the game 2-1 during the penalty shoot-out.

    With the win, South Africa now have a golden opportunity to avenge their 0-2 defeat in the hand of Nigeria during their last appearance in the AFCON semi-final in 2000.

    The 1996 champions, who were coached then by Clive Barker, will also attempt to bridge a 24-place gap in FIFA rankings when they meet three-time winners, Nigeria, in Bouake on Wednesday.

    After 120 minutes of a quarter final that was largely characterised by missed opportunities by both sides, South Africa edged out ‘unlucky’ Cape Verde, who lost four penalties to book their exit from the competition.

    South Africa’s goalkeeper and Captain, Ronwen Williams, was a great inspiration to his team as he saved four shootout penalties. His excellent goalkeeping and heroic saves kept the match 0-0 at both full time and extra time.

    Goalkeeper Williams denied Bebe, Willy Semedo, Laros Duarte and Bryan Teixeira through his spectacular saves. He had earlier made a magical late save tipping Gilson Benchimol’s first-time strike against the woodwork as extra time loomed.

    Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha also made two exceptional saves in quick succession shortly after extra time began to deny Mihlali Mayambela and Teboho Mokoena respectively.

  • Tears, encomiums for Phil Masinga, South Africa’s soccer legend, who dies at 49

    Tears, encomiums for Phil Masinga, South Africa’s soccer legend, who dies at 49

    Tributes have been pouring for football legend, Phil ‘Chippa’ Masinga, who succumbed to cancer, Sunday morning at the age of 49. He had had a long running battle with the debilitating disease.

    Masinga, who plied his trade at Mamelodi Sundowns and Leeds United in England, is fondly remembered for the goal that sent Bafana Bafana to the 1998 World Cup in France. He came through the ranks at Jomo Cosmos before joining Mamelodi Sundowns in his country, South Africa.

    His death has thrown South Africa into mourning, as organisations and many people have been eulogising his contribution to the development of football in his native South Africa. .

    The Economic Freedom Fighters, EFF, expressed sadness over Masinga’s demise, saying South Africa has lost another authentic hero.

    In a statement, EFF’s national spokesperson, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, sent the party’s condolences to the legend’s friends and family, declaring: “Affectionately known as Chippa among football supporters, we have lost a hero, on and off the field of play. A patriot who has represented the country internationally.

    “We can never forget the unforgettable moments such when he helped South Africa clinch the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations title and the famous goal that secured qualifications to the 1998 World Cup.”

    Another compatriot, and former South Africa captain, Lucas Radebe, says the country has lost a “legend”.

    Masinga played with Radebe at Leeds United between 1994 and 1996 and also had spells at St Gallen in Switzerland and Italian clubs Salernitana and Bari.

    “He lost his fight against cancer this morning which is very, very sad for us as a football fraternity,” said Radebe.

    “We are mourning the loss of a great legend.”

    Former central defender Radebe and striker Masinga were both signed by Leeds in 1994, recalls the British Broadcasting Service, BBC..

    “For us as Africans, it was a great experience,” Radebe told the BBC World Service. “We weren’t used to the weather and we struggled a little bit – we kept each other warm at times.

    “Phil was a big hit with the team and the players. I looked up to him and I think he inspired me the most. It was absolutely great the way he adapted to the situation.

    “He was easy to get along with and he was most respected at the club as a person.”

    ‘One of the nicest kindest guys I’ve met’

    Masinga, according to the BBC, made his debut for South Africa in July 1992 against Cameroon in his country’s first match following his country’s readmission to international football by FIFA after the end of apartheid.

    He will best be remembered for his goal against Congo, which ensured South Africa qualified for their first World Cup appearance in 1998.

    Former South Africa and Everton midfielder, Steven Pienaar, has also been mourning Masinga. “Very sad news for South African football,” he said. “We lost a true football legend in Phil ‘Chippa’ Masinga.”

    “He paved the way for all South African footballers in the UK. That goal at FNB stadium that took us to our first World Cup will always be on my mind. RIP Legend.”

    Masinga was also a member of the victorious 1996 Africa Cup of Nations squad.

    “Sad day for South African football,” said South Africa Football Association president Danny Jordaan. “He was a loyal servant of the game, on and off the field of play.”

    South Africa’s Premier Soccer League said there would be a moment of silence at all its matches on Sunday in honour of the former forward.

    Bari also held a period of silence before their game against Sancataldese on Sunday.

    Masinga made 31 league appearances for Leeds, scoring five goals.

    “It is with great sadness that the club has learnt of former striker Phil Masinga’s passing,” said a statement from the Elland Road club.

    “The thoughts of everyone at LUFC are with his family and friends.”

    Noel Whelan played alongside Masinga at the Elland Road club and said it was “really sad news”.

    “He was not just a friend and strike partner but one of the nicest kindest guys I’ve met,” added Whelan.

    “It was a pleasure and privilege to have known and played with you Phil.”

     

  • AFCON 2019: BAFANA BAFANA RAVAGED BY INJURIES

    AFCON 2019: BAFANA BAFANA RAVAGED BY INJURIES

    BY BEN MEMULETIWON

    South Africa’s quest to dislodge Nigeria on the AFCON 2019 Group E log may have suffered a serious setback as injury has ravaged the Bafana Bafana.

    The South Africans host the Super Eagles in Victoria on November 17 but most of their top stars are either on clutches or wheelchairs or having dates with physiotherapists. They are ravaged by injuries.

    “Bafana Bafana have been ravaged by injuries leading up to the November 17 AFCON clash against Nigeria,” a source in Johannesburg said.

    “Kamohelo Mokotjo and Sibusiso Vilakazi have been sidelined by torn Achilles tendons‚ Dean Furman by a dislocated shoulder and Keagan Dolly is undergoing rehabilitation on his fractured leg.

    “Bongani Zungu will also miss the clash because of torn cruciate ligaments in his knee while Bradley Grobler has undergone a knee operation.”

    South Africa coach Stuart Baxter has consequently handed a second chance against Nigeria to Vitesse Arnhem midfielder Thulani Serero, who last year asked to be left out of the national team unless he was guaranteed playing time as picks a relatively strong team against the Nigerians.

    “I am working from the assumption that everybody can make a poor decision and I thought his decision was poor when he said he wouldn’t continue to come to the national team,” said Baxter when he explained Serero’s recall..

    “But‚ I do think that everybody had a right to second chances in life and this is his second chance.”

    South Africa are second behind Group E leaders Nigeria, who have nine points from four matches.

    Bafana Bafana Squad:

    Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khume (Chiefs)‚ Ronwen Williams (Supersport)‚ Darren Keet (Wits)

    Defenders: Ramahle Mphahlele (Chiefs)‚ Motjeka Madisha (Sundowns)‚ Siyanda Xulu (Maritzburg)‚ Thulani Hlatshwayo (Wits)‚ Innocent Maela (Pirates)‚ S’Fiso Hlanti (Wits)‚ Buhle MKhwanazi (Bidvest Wits)‚ Thamsanqa Mkhize (Cape Town City)

    Midfielders: Vincent Pule (Pirates)‚ Lebogang Maboe (Sundowns)‚ Hlompho Kekana (Sundowns)‚ Fortune Makaringe (Maritzburg)‚ Teboho Mokoena (Supersport)‚ Samuel Mabunda (Sundowns)‚ Thembinkosi Lorch (Pirates)‚ Thulani Serero (SBV Vitesse)‚

    Strikers: Themba Zwane (Sundowns)‚ Lebo Mothiba (Racing Club de Strasbourg FC)‚ Dino Ndlovu (Zhejiang Greentown FC‚ China)‚ Percy Tau (Royal Union Saint FC‚ Belgium)

     

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