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Sunday, 4 January’s Round of 16 clash between Bafana Bafana and Cameroon at Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Rabat is not only a highly anticipated match, but also one rich in historical context.
Kick-off is at 21:00 (SA time).
The two teams have a deep connection, as Cameroon was the first team Bafana Bafana faced after South Africa’s readmission to international football in 1992.
Since then, the two nations have met multiple times, with South Africa holding a favorable record in these encounters.
Historical Overview of Bafana Bafana vs Cameroon
- South Africa 1-0 Cameroon (07/07/92) – Friendly International, Durban
This match marked South Africa’s return to international football after apartheid, with Bafana securing their first-ever victory. A penalty from Doctor Khumalo in the 82nd minute gave South Africa a 1-0 win over the Indomitable Lions, who featured the legendary Roger Milla. - South Africa 1-2 Cameroon (09/07/92) – Friendly International, Cape Town
Just two days after their first victory, South Africa lost 1-2 in Cape Town, despite an early own goal by Jules Onana that gave Bafana the lead. Cameroon fought back through Jacob Ewane, who scored twice, one of which came just before the final whistle. - South Africa 2-2 Cameroon (11/07/92) – Friendly International, Johannesburg
A thrilling 2-2 draw followed in Johannesburg as Phil Masinga and Bennett Masinga scored for South Africa, while Ewane found the net again for Cameroon. - South Africa 1-1 Cameroon (03/12/94) – Four Nations Cup, Johannesburg
Two years later, South Africa and Cameroon played a 1-1 draw in the Four Nations Cup, with Edward Motale scoring for Bafana after Emmanuel Maboang had given Cameroon the lead. - South Africa 3-0 Cameroon (13/01/96) – Africa Cup of Nations, Johannesburg
This remains one of the most iconic encounters, as South Africa defeated Cameroon 3-0 in the opening game of the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, which South Africa went on to win. Goals from Phil Masinga, Mark Williams, and John Moshoeu set the tone for a memorable tournament. - South Africa 3-2 Cameroon (19/11/08) – Friendly International, Rustenburg
Twelve years later, Teko Modise scored twice to give South Africa an early 2-0 lead. Cameroon fought back through Daniel N’Gom Kome and Somen Tchoyi but Bernard Parker netted the winner for South Africa, securing a 3-2 victory. - South Africa 1-1 Cameroon (10/01/15) – Friendly International, Libreville
Ahead of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, South Africa drew 1-1 with Cameroon in Gabon. Vincent Aboubakar put Cameroon ahead, but Sibusiso Vilakazi equalized for South Africa in the second half. - Cameroon 2-2 South Africa (26/03/16) – Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier, Limbe
In a high-stakes Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, South Africa twice took the lead with goals from Tokelo Rantie and Hlompho Kekana, but Cameroon equalized on both occasions to end the match 2-2. - South Africa 0-0 Cameroon (29/03/16) – Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier, Durban
The return fixture just days later saw a goalless draw, marking the last meeting between the two sides. This match was famous for the defensive setup by then Cameroon coach Hugo Broos, who would later guide the Indomitable Lions to Africa Cup of Nations glory in 2017.
Key Facts Leading Into the Round of 16 Clash
- Bafana Bafana has a solid historical record against Cameroon, with three wins and five draws from their nine meetings.
- Cameroon has only ever beaten South Africa once in competitive matches, a solitary 1-0 victory in Cape Town in 1992.
- The most recent encounters between the teams took place during the 2016 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with both matches ending in draws (2-2 in Limbe and 0-0 in Durban).
The Significance of the Match
- Coach Hugo Broos: It is also noteworthy that Hugo Broos, who led Cameroon to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations title, was the coach of Cameroon in their last meetings with South Africa. Broos is now in charge of Bafana Bafana, adding an interesting dynamic to the fixture.
- Upcoming Match: The Round of 16 game promises to be an exciting clash, and given the rich history between the two teams, both fans and players will be keen to add another memorable chapter to their rivalry.
Will Bafana Bafana continue their unbeaten run against the Indomitable Lions, or will Cameroon make a statement in this knockout stage encounter?
Let us know by clicking on the comment banner below …