At their previous 11 tournament appearances, South Africa have won three, lost four and drawn four, including two against Angola.
At Bafana’s last three tournament appearances, they have managed to lose their opening game, and have noy enjoyed a victory in 21 years.
Here is the history of South Africa’s first game at past Cup of Nations:
1996: South Africa 3 Cameroon 0
Few were expecting as emphatic a scoreline as Clive Barker’s team achieved in what proved a perfect start to the tournament in front of a packed Soccer City. Goals from Phil Masinga and Mark Williams had Bafana two-up at halftime, and when John Moshoeu scored 10 minutes into the second half, it was game, set and match to the hosts, who went on to win the tournament.
The quick thinking of coach Jomo Sono avoided a complete disaster when Benni McCarthy looked to pick up a second yellow card in quick succession in a tempestuous encounter in Bobo-Dioulasso. But before the referee could get round to dismissing the young striker, and condemning him to a two-match ban, Sono whisked him off on a stretcher and substituted him, allowing McCarthy to go on and end up as joint top scorer at the tournament in Burkina Faso.
Bafana fell behind after 20 minutes of their Group B clash in Kumasi to a goal from teenager Chiva Nzigou but bounced back with Dumisa Ngobe equalising before half-time. Two second-half goals from Shaun Bartlett set Trott Moloto’s side on their way to the semi-finals before they lost to co-hosts Nigeria.
2002: Burkina Faso 0 South Africa 0
A strong side under Carlos Queiroz were based in Segou for the finals in Mali and drew their opening two matches of the tournament, first against Les Etalons and then the Black Stars of Ghana. It was a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Morocco in their last group game that ensured progress to the quarter-finals, where Bafana lost to the hosts.
Styles Phumo became the fifth Bafana coach in as many tournaments as he took the side to the finals in Tunisia where they were based in the southern city of Sfax. They made heavy weather of what should have been a routine assignment against debutants Benin with Siyabonga Nomvethe sparing blushes with two second-half goals.
South Africa lost an opening game for the first time as late goals from Sambegou Bangoura and Ousmane Bangoura handed Syli Nationale a win. Coach Ted Dumitru blamed defeat on the rain in what was a bizarre excuse and oversaw a poor campaign as Bafana then lost to Tunisia and Zambia in Alexandria and went home without a point or a goal.
Palancas Negras were Bafana’s opponents for a second time in an opening match and almost won, leading from the 30th minute through their striker Manucho, who would be signed by Manchester United during the tournament. Carlos Alberto Parreira’s side equalised two minutes from time through Elrio van Heerden, although they ended last in the group with two points from their three games.
2013: South Africa 0 Cape Verde Islands 0
The country stepped in as emergency hosts in place of Libya, who were embroiled in a civil war, after having failed to qualify for the previous two editions. It was supposed to be an easy start against a tiny country making their Cup of Nations debut, but a very nervy and unconvincing showing by Gordon Igesund’s side.
2015: Algeria 3 South Africa 1
Coach Shakes Mashaba’s limitations were all too evident as Bafana were badly exposed in their group games in Mongomo. The Algerians proved far too strong as they came storming back after Thuso Phala had put Bafana ahead. An own goal from Thulani Hlatshwayo levelled matters, and then quickly followed two more goals. South Africa went home early with a single point.
2019: Côte d’Ivoire 1 South Africa 0
Jonathan Kodjia from English club Aston Villa scored the only goal at a near-empty Al Salam Stadium in Cairo to mark a poor start for Bafana as they lost. A narrow win over Namibia in their next game allowed them to scrape into the round of 16, where they then upset the hosts.
Two goals in six minutes from the hour mark saw Mali post a deserved victory in Korhogo. Bafana did come back and went on to post their best performance since 2000, taking home the bronze medal with several dollops of good fortune.
