South Africa go into tonight’s Nelson Mandela Challenge clash with Egypt looking for a third victory in succession in the showpiece friendly in which they had largely battled over the past decade.
Wins over a depleted Ivory Coast (2-0) and a strong Senegal (1-0) in the last two editions ended a run of four years without success following a 1-0 loss to a young USA side in 2010.
It is a fixture with perhaps extra significance this year given the precarious position national team coach Shakes Mashaba finds himself in‚ but has also always been a game which by its very nature and name has importance on the South African football calendar.
The inaugural Nelson Mandela Challenge match was staged to mark the swearing-in of the first democratically-elected president of South Africa as he took power at the Union Buildings on May 10‚ 1994.
On the same day‚ South Africa played Zambia in what was the second match in charge for then coach Clive Barker.
Mandela himself made an appearance at the Johannesburg stadium at half-time‚ with the break having to be extended so that the two teams could shake his hand. Within minutes of the restart‚ a seemingly inspired Bafana had scored two quick goals through Brendan Augustine and Doctor Khumalo and the concept of ‘Madiba Magic’ was born. South Africa went on to win 2-1.
There would be a succession of top names coming to play in the Nelson Mandela Challenge down the years‚ starting with Argentina in 1995‚ when Bafana played to a 1-1 draw.
Khumalo was again on the scoresheet before the South Americans equalized from the spot with 10 minutes to go.
Brazil were the visitors the following year‚ with Bafana leading 2-0 at the break through Phil Masinga and Khumalo‚ only for the then world champions to roar back and win 3-2.
It remains arguably the most thrilling match Bafana have been involved in.
The Netherlands arrived to play in 1997‚ winning 2-0 in what was Benni McCarthy’s debut game for the national side.
The occasion was marked too as Mandela gave a medal to Ruud Gullit for his role in the fight against Apartheid.
Tonight’s opponents Egypt were beaten 2-1 in 1998‚ McCarthy with a brace‚ while World and European champions France arrived in 2000 for a 0-0 draw.
Bafana recorded a first-ever win over Nigeria in the 2004 installment of the fixture‚ Shaun Bartlett and Benedict Vilakazi with the goals in a 2-1 victory under then coach Stuart Baxter.
There have also been two 1-0 defeats to the USA (2007 & 2010)‚ a 3-2 win over Cameroon (2008)‚ a 2-1 win over Norway (2009).
This will be the third time that South Africa have played Egypt in the fixture‚ with a win and a loss in the bank.
A fresh-faced Benni McCarthy scored twice in a 2-1 success in 1998‚ this after Egypt had been handed the lead by their legendary striker Hossam Hassan.
The teams met again eight years later in London‚ with an early Emad Moteab goal after just three minutes settled the tie.
Egypt were also replacements for Mexico in 2001 after the Central American side pulled out late on‚ but the fixture was not officially a Nelson Mandela Challenge fixture.
Of the 21 previous games‚ Bafana have won on nine occasions‚ with four draws and eight defeats. - TMG Digital
Egypt will be happy to know Bafana have always had it tough in Nelson Mandela Challenge
South Africa go into tonight’s Nelson Mandela Challenge clash with Egypt looking for a third victory in succession in the showpiece friendly in which they had largely battled over the past decade.
Wins over a depleted Ivory Coast (2-0) and a strong Senegal (1-0) in the last two editions ended a run of four years without success following a 1-0 loss to a young USA side in 2010.
It is a fixture with perhaps extra significance this year given the precarious position national team coach Shakes Mashaba finds himself in‚ but has also always been a game which by its very nature and name has importance on the South African football calendar.
The inaugural Nelson Mandela Challenge match was staged to mark the swearing-in of the first democratically-elected president of South Africa as he took power at the Union Buildings on May 10‚ 1994.
On the same day‚ South Africa played Zambia in what was the second match in charge for then coach Clive Barker.
Mandela himself made an appearance at the Johannesburg stadium at half-time‚ with the break having to be extended so that the two teams could shake his hand. Within minutes of the restart‚ a seemingly inspired Bafana had scored two quick goals through Brendan Augustine and Doctor Khumalo and the concept of ‘Madiba Magic’ was born. South Africa went on to win 2-1.
There would be a succession of top names coming to play in the Nelson Mandela Challenge down the years‚ starting with Argentina in 1995‚ when Bafana played to a 1-1 draw.
Khumalo was again on the scoresheet before the South Americans equalized from the spot with 10 minutes to go.
Brazil were the visitors the following year‚ with Bafana leading 2-0 at the break through Phil Masinga and Khumalo‚ only for the then world champions to roar back and win 3-2.
It remains arguably the most thrilling match Bafana have been involved in.
The Netherlands arrived to play in 1997‚ winning 2-0 in what was Benni McCarthy’s debut game for the national side.
The occasion was marked too as Mandela gave a medal to Ruud Gullit for his role in the fight against Apartheid.
Tonight’s opponents Egypt were beaten 2-1 in 1998‚ McCarthy with a brace‚ while World and European champions France arrived in 2000 for a 0-0 draw.
Bafana recorded a first-ever win over Nigeria in the 2004 installment of the fixture‚ Shaun Bartlett and Benedict Vilakazi with the goals in a 2-1 victory under then coach Stuart Baxter.
There have also been two 1-0 defeats to the USA (2007 & 2010)‚ a 3-2 win over Cameroon (2008)‚ a 2-1 win over Norway (2009).
This will be the third time that South Africa have played Egypt in the fixture‚ with a win and a loss in the bank.
A fresh-faced Benni McCarthy scored twice in a 2-1 success in 1998‚ this after Egypt had been handed the lead by their legendary striker Hossam Hassan.
The teams met again eight years later in London‚ with an early Emad Moteab goal after just three minutes settled the tie.
Egypt were also replacements for Mexico in 2001 after the Central American side pulled out late on‚ but the fixture was not officially a Nelson Mandela Challenge fixture.
Of the 21 previous games‚ Bafana have won on nine occasions‚ with four draws and eight defeats. - TMG Digital
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