There is little to separate between South Africa and the Cape Verde in their head-to-head record, but the fact that the islanders have won the last two meetings between the two countries will give them confidence for Saturday’s clash at the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
CURRENT FORM
The quarterfinal clash in Yamousosukro will be the first they play against each other since Cape Verde’s ‘Tubaroes Azul’ upset Bafana in Durban in the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, where they beat South Africa both home and away as the team coached by Shakes Mashaba finished bottom of the group.
Here is supersport.com’s reminder of the five previous matches, where there have been two wins each and a draw.
2004 – SOUTH AFRICA 2 CAPE VERDE 1
A positive start to both the new coaching tenure of Stuart Baxter and in the qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup with a double from Mbulela Mabizela – one on either side of the break – putting South Africa two up at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein before Janicio pulled one back to make for an uncomfortable final 12 minutes. Current Cape Verde coach Bubista played in the match at fullback and had to deal with the likes of Shaun Bartlett, Delron Buckley, Siyabonga Nomvete and Benedict Vilakazi.
2005 - CAPE VERDE 1 SOUTH AFRICA 2
Another positive World Cup result in Praia as Bafana went 2-0 up inside the opening quarter-hour with goals from Benni McCarthy and Buckley. Again Cape Verde scored late to reduce the deficit with Cafu netting on the artificial pitch in their capital. The result meant South Africa needed to only draw their penultimate qualifier at home to Ghana, but instead they lost and it was the Black Stars who went to the World Cup in Germany instead.
2013 – SOUTH AFRICA 0 CAPE VERDE 0
South Africa had stepped in as late hosts for Libya for the Cup of Nations but they were a nervy team under a nervy coach Gordon Igesund in the opening game at Soccer City and for the expectant 50 000-strong crowd it produced a most disappointing affair. The likes of Katlego Mphela, Lehlohonolo Majoro, Bernard Parker, Thulani Serero and Siphiwe Tshabalala could not produce the goals needed. South Africa eventually scrapped a place in the quarterfinals with a late equaliser against Morocco but were eliminated on post-match penalties in the last eight by Mali.
2017 – CAPE VERDE 2 SOUTH AFRICA 1
Things were looking bright for Bafana’s bid to qualify for Russia after a draw in Burkina Faso and win (later annulled) at home over Senegal but losing in Praia was a setback. Tokelo Rantie gave South Africa a 14th-minute lead but Nuno Rocha scored twice in the space of five minutes to turn around matters. The second goal came from a penalty after Ryan Mendes was fouled. Mendes and goalkeeper Vozinha played that day and will be lining up against South Africa on Saturday, more than six years on.
2017 – SOUTH AFRICA 1 CAPE VERDE 2
With Senegal being held to draws by Burkina Faso, this was a chance for Bafana to claim the lead in the World Cup group, just five days after the match in Praia. But they flopped in front of some 17 000 people in Durban at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Garry Rodrigues, who is also still in the Cape Verde squad, hit a brilliant free kick to give them a shock lead in the 52nd minute and then added a second 15 minutes later. There was a consolation goal from Andile Jali right at the end of the match.