South Africa will make a seventh Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal appearance when they take on the Cape Verde Islands in Yamoussoukro on Saturday and if they are to advance to the last four will need to reverse the trend of the last three which they have all lost
Bafana Bafana have to go back more than two decades for the last time they won through to the semifinals at the 2000 finals, which was co-hosted by Ghana and Nigeria. They eliminated one host in the last eight … only to be stymied by the other in the semifinals.
Here is supersport.com's reminder of the last six times Bafana have played in a Cup of Nations quarterfinal.
1996 – SOUTH AFRICA 2-1 ALGERIA
This match was a game on edge especially as South Africa, albeit playing with a weakened side, had lost their last group game to Egypt but still qualified top of their group. Algeria were second in Group B but undefeated and the quarterfinal clash at a wet Soccer City was deadlocked until 18 minutes remaining when Mark Fish slid home the opener. But Algeria threatened to spoil the home party when Tarek Lazizi headed the north African side level in the 84th minute from corner. But straight from the kick off, Bafana were back in front as John ‘Shoes’ Moshoeu slammed home the winner from the edge of the penalty area.,
1998 – SOUTH AFRICA 2-1 MOROCCO
South Africa were defending champions but, after two draws in their opening group games, were back in the running after four goals from Benni McCarthy against Namibia. That mean they went off to the secondary Municipal Stadium in Ouagadougou for their quarterfinal, with McCarthy again among the goals after being set up by Helman Mkhalele’s run down the right wing and shot that the keeper tipped away only for Brendan Augustine to head the ball back for a simple tap-in after 21 minutes. Said Chiba equalised for Morocco 14 minutes later but David Nyathi’s 73rd minute winner remains one of the best goals scored in Bafana colours, as he jinxed into the box and then slammed home with the left foot.
2000 – SOUTH AFRICA 1-0 GHANA
Bafana easily won their group in Kumasi and then took on the hosts in the last eight, inflicting a hurtful defeat on Ghana, who were co-hosting the tournament with Nigeria. Siyabonga Nomvethe scored in the 42nd minute after an excellent full volleyed cross from Shaun Bartlett, but it needed a strong rearguard action to ensure success because midfield hard-man Eric Tinkler was sent off for a second yellow card in the 48th minute. Bafana held the Black Stars at bay but then lost to Nigeria in the semifinals.
2002 – MALI 2-0 SOUTH AFRICA
A fourth Cup of Nations quarterfinal in a row for Bafana, though this would be their last for 11 years. The match was in the town of Kayes in the far west of Mali and Bafana dominated their hosts in the first half. But 15 minutes into the second half, Bassala Toure thundered a shot past Hans Vonk to give Mali the lead. Bafana fought back and Delron Buckley had a shot cleared off the line but, as they pressed forward in search of an equaliser in the closing stages of the contest, Dramane Coulibaly sealed the win with a tap-in after being teed-up by Toure. Bafana coach Carlos Queiroz lost his job after the game.
2013 – SOUTH AFRICA 1-1 MALI
Another meeting with Mali, but this time with the roles reversed as South Africa hosted the tournament, as replacements for war-torn Libya, and Mali exceeded expectation to get to the knockout stages. Tokelo Rantie put Bafana into a deserved lead just past the half-hour mark, but when he went off injured shortly afterwards, Mali came back into the game when the ex-Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita equalised on 58 minutes. South Africa were woeful in the penalty shootout after extra time when Dean Furman and May Mahlangu had their efforts saved and Lehlohonolo Majoro missed.
2019 – NIGERIA 2-1 SOUTH AFRICA
Bafana shocked hosts Egypt in the last-16 to set up a quarterfinal clash with the Super Eagles. Samuel Chukwueze put Nigeria ahead midway through the first half, but Bongani Zungu equalised with 20 minutes remaining. It looked like the game might go to extra-time, giving South Africa the possibility when Ronwen Williams flapped at a cross in the final minute and the centre back William Troost-Ekong scored to see South Africa lose for a third successive quarterfinal.