THE North West government will host a gala dinner tomorrow to honour the Bafana Bafana Class of 96 and former professional soccer players from the province.

The gala dinner will be followed by a match at Ernest Oppenheimer Stadium on Sunday and will feature the Class of 96 team against a North West Invitational side.

The Class of 96 made history when they became the first team from southern Africa to win the Africa Cup of Nations finals. This earned them the No 1 rankings in Africa and 16th spot in the world. The following year Bafana Bafana qualified for their maiden World Cup finals in 1998 in France, thanks to Phil "Chippa" Masinga's long-range stunner against Congo in the qualifiers.

Masinga, who is from Sterkfontein in North West, will be among the players from the province who will be honoured by the provincial sports MEC Hlomane Chauke tomorrow.

Other players from the province include Thabang Molefe, Jacob Tshisevhe, Bennet Masinga, Eric September, Brian Sepabole, Thabang Rammile, Sipho Nunens and Brendon Silent.

Chauke will also acknowledge Lucas Radebe, Mark Fish, Doctor Khumalo, John Moshoeu, John Moeti, Mark Williams, Shaun Bartlett, Eric Tinkler, Andre Arendse, Linda Buthelezi and Helman Mkhalele for making the country proud in 1996.

Masinga will lead the North West Invitational side against the Class of 96 on Sunday and Chauke anticipates an enthralling encounter.

"Chippa helped us to play in our first World Cup and we will never forget that day when he scored that memorable goal against Congo," Chauke said.

Sunday's match will be preceded by coaching clinics at Kenneth Kaunda district municipality today. Proceedings are being put together by Masinga and top North West businessman Majoro Nguphane.