Masters & Legends
Class of 96
AFCON CHAMPIONS - UNITING SOUTH AFRICA
The 1996 African Cup of Nations was the 20th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the football championship of Africa (CAF). It was hosted by South Africa, who replaced original hosts Kenya. The field expanded for the first time to 16 teams, split into four groups of four; the top two teams in each group advancing to the quarterfinals.South Africa won its first championship, beating Tunisia in the final 2–0.
After a long period of exile, South Africa returned to continental participation, and their first ever Africa Cup of Nations appearance in 1996 was a one that will last forever in the memories of their people.South Africa opened the tournament with a huge 3-0 victory over giants Cameroon to send a message that they mean business.
A 1-0 victory over neighbors Angola was followed by same score defeat to Egypt that didn’t stop them from reaching the next round. In the quarterfinals they managed a hard fought 2-1 win over Algeria to reach the semis, where they produced another amazing performance to defeat Ghana 3-0. In front of more than 80,000 supporters, Mark Williams scored twice in two minutes as Bafana Bafana defeated the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia 2-0 in the final to be crowned champions on their debut appearance.
Clive Barker’s men beat Cameroon, Angola, Algeria, Ghana and then Tunisia in the final on their way to lifting the most prestigious piece of silverware in Africa, a moment that still stands as the greatest in South Africa’s football history.
AFCON 1996 Final XI Andre Arendse Sizwe Motaung Mark Fish Neil Tovey(C) Lucas Radebe Doctor Khumalo Eric Tinkler Linda Buthelezi John Moshoeu Shaun Bartlett Phil Masinga
Substitutes: Helman Mkhalele – 51st minute for Buthelezi Mark Williams – 65th minute for Masinga Unused Substitutes: Roger de Sa John Tlale Edward Motale David Nyathi Andrew Tucker Augustine Makalakalane Joen Moeti Zane Moosa Daniel Mudau