Most would agree that there are two momentous dates in South African history. One is the day that Apartheid was officially abolished. The other is July 7th, 1992; the day South African football was reborn. After twenty years without fulfilling an international fixture a new multi-racial South African Football A sociation was admitted to FIFA, yet no-one quite imagined that the Bafana Bafana would end up hosting the 2010 World Cup.Whilst this is unlikely to be the scene come June 11th, Mandela has made history by giving South Africa an opportunity to impre sDespite failing to qualify for USA 94, South African football was on a seemingly upward curve. Morale-boosting victories over Cameroon and Congo, coupled with the tear-jerking 1996 African Cup of Nations succe s, caused South African to leap to number sixteen in the world. Many compared their rise in fortunes to that of their cricket counterparts, but football is part of life in South Africa. Within five years, South Africa had risen from having no national side to having arguably the best in Coby White Jersey Africa.This reputation was given the chance to be tested when South Africa qualified for France 98, after simple victories over Malawi, Congo, Zambia, and Congo DR. Placed with hosts France, Denmark and Saudi Arabia in the group stage, it appeared to be a tough feat to achieve. France were the first team to face the relatively unknown South Africans, cruising through 3-0, before Benni McCarthy scored the Bafana Bafanas first ever World Cup Finals goal in a 1-1 draw with Denmark. This set up a crunch meeting with Saudia Arabia, with the winner likely to proceed to the last sixteen.Shaun Bartlett sent almost the whole country berserk when he rifled home the opener, and with Denmark losing to France, the unthinkable was on the horizon. However, two quick-fire disputable penalties from Al-Jaber and Al-Thunayan put the victory out of South Africas reach, despite Bartletts last minute strike. South Africa had arrived on the world scene as a force to be reckoned with.Benni McCarthy made history by scoring South Africas first ever World Cup Finals goalThe Bafana Bafana then qualified for Korea/Japan 02 as now expected. With an array of attacking talent, they appeared as second favourites to qualify from Group B alongside Spain, edging out Paraguay and Slovenia. This sense of belief was unheard of before in an African side, replicated in their stunning fightback in the opening game. Trailing 2-0 to Paraguay, goals from Teboho Mokoena and Quinton Fortune rescued a point, thus maintaining South Africas increasingly realistic ambitions. Then, on June 8th 2002, something every South African had wished to see happened; a World Cup victory. Siyabonga Nomvethes early strike saw off Slovenia, a goal that even brought a tear to the eye of Nelson Mandela. Even so, they were unable to withhold a flamboyant Spanish side, with Rauls late strike breaking Otto Porter Jr. Jersey South Africas hearts.Since this era of moderate succe s, South Africa have been branded a failure. Failure to qualify for Germany 06 was unexpected, but the inability to score a single goal in the 2006 African Cup of Nations brought anger to the Bafana Bafana fans. Perhaps they were too over-expectant? Varying managers didnt bring an end to this sad period of time either, following spells from Parreira and Santana in charge. Obviously as hosts South Africa did not have to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, although their flashes of brilliance were highlighted in the 2009 Confederations Cup. Now with household names such as Steven Pienaar and Aaron Mokoena amongst their ranks, South Africas squad was competitive. Despite a lo s to Spain, four points from matches against New Zealand and Iran was enough to seal a semi-final place, where they kept Brazil at bay for the majority of the match but couldnt quite hold on. An epic 3rd Place play-off with Spain followed, with South Africas fighting spirit shining through in their narrow extra-time defeat.The 2009 Confederations Cup brought a taste of international football to the crazy Bafana Bafana fans, as well as showing that South Africa can compete at the top level Many commentators believed that their displays against Brazil and Spain portrayed just how far South Africa had come since their resurrection in 1992. They have the ability to score for fun and pull off shock victories, something which their lowly world ranking does not suggest. Ignore it. Can the Bafana Bafana create even more World Cup history this year? You bet they can.

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