AFCON Draft Examination: Breakdown of Bafana Bafana's Group
AFCON 2023: A Closer Look at Tunisia, Mali, and Namibia
The upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast promises an exciting tournament, with some familiar faces returning. Among the participating nations are Tunisia, Mali, and Namibia, who have a history of encounters with South Africa's Bafana Bafana in previous AFCON tournaments.
Tunisia and South Africa
Tunisia has a rich history in the AFCON, having reached the final against South Africa in 1996, a year when South Africa won their first title at home. Although Tunisia has won the AFCON once in 2004 and finished as runners-up twice, including a recent final loss to South Africa, records show at least one direct loss to South Africa in an important AFCON final.
Mali and South Africa
Mali's encounters with South Africa's Bafana Bafana in AFCON tournaments are not as well-documented. The provided results do not specify any performance details or head-to-head records for Mali against South Africa in these tournaments.
Namibia and South Africa
Similarly, Namibia's performances against South Africa's Bafana Bafana in AFCON tournaments or other official matches are not detailed in the provided results.
Preparing for AFCON 2023
Mali qualified for the tournament by winning five out of six matches in their group, which consisted of Gambia, South Sudan, and Congo. They boast a strong squad, including Cheick Doucoure (Crystal Palace midfielder), Hamari Traore (Real Sociedad captain), and Adana Traore (Hull City striker).
Tunisia, on the other hand, qualified by finishing at the top of a group that included Botswana, Equatorial Guinea, and Libya. Their squad includes Anis Ben Slimani (Sheffield United midfielder), Hannibal Mejbri (Manchester United midfielder), and Yousef Msakni (captain who plays for Qatari outfit Al Arabi and has 91 caps in the national team).
Namibia, under the leadership of Coach Collins Benjamin, has qualified for the 2023 AFCON with limited resources. Their all-time leading goalscorer, Peter Shalulile, who plays for Mamelodi Sundowns, will be crucial for Namibia's performance in the tournament.
Head-to-Head Records
In terms of their head-to-head record in the AFCON tournaments, Mali has a 2-1 advantage over Bafana Bafana, with victories in the 2002 Quarter-finals (2-0) and the 2013 edition (penalty shootout win). Namibia, however, has never beaten South Africa in their 11 meetings, with their most recent encounter being a 1-0 loss in 2016.
Group Stage
Bafana Bafana has been placed in a group with Tunisia, Mali, and Namibia, setting the stage for potential rematches of these historic encounters. The 2023 AFCON is set to be an exciting tournament, with these three nations aiming to make their mark.
Tunisia's football history includes a notable encounter with South Africa's Bafana Bafana in the AFCON, as they faced each other in the 1996 final and a significant final loss in 2019.Mali's football encounters with South Africa in the AFCON tournaments predecessor a more defined head-to-head record, with the only clarification that Mali clinched a penalty shootout win in 2013.
