When South Africa hosted the 1996 African Nations Cup, however, South Africa proved they belonged in the finals by defeating Tunisia 2-0 in the final. It was during the team's run to the title that its nickname, "Bafana Bafana", became known around the world.
Nelson Mandela leads the celebrations as Neil Tovey lifts the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations.Shortly after being crowned African champions, Bafana Bafana took on world champions Brazil in Johannesburg. Buoyed by a fearless home crowd, the South Africans went two goals up before the Brazilians fought back to win the match 3-2.
One of the first gifts that democracy brought South Africa was its first truly representative national soccer team.
In 1992, the united South African team came into being, playing Cameroon in its first match in Durban on 9 July. It was a triumphant occasion for the side that came to be known as Bafana Bafana - "The Boys" - as they edged the West African powerhouse by a goal to nil.
However, the win concealed the negative effect that apartheid-enforced isolation had had on local soccer. This lack of international experience showed as South Africa lost four matches in a row - to Cameroon, Zambia, Nigeria and Zambia - in failing to qualify for the 1994 African Nations Cup.
