On this day 3 February 1996 (Exactly 25 years ago today) South Africa defeated Tunisia 2-0 to win their only Africa Cup of Nations title in Johannesburg.
The FNB stadium was packed to rafters. South Africans were comforted by the sight of Mandela wearing the same jersey as Bafana Bafana’s captain – a ploy that had worked wonders for the rugby team in 1995.
Under a dazzling sunlit sky, Tunisia and South Africa made a cautious start, like two heavyweight boxers measuring each other up. The first twenty minutes yielded few open chances with both teams heading well wide of the goal. In the 21st minute, Tunisia conjured the first opening – Ben Slimane picked up a loose ball in his own half and suddenly saw a free corridor in front of him.
He powered through like a hurtling freight train, going past two South African defenders and then pulling back a dangerous ball past onrushing Mark Fish. It required a timely intervention from Tinkler to prevent Tunisia from going a goal up.
Spurred by that chance, the Carthage Eagles took control of the match for next few minutes. Baya wasn’t effectively marked and he kept popping up all over the field, linking Tunisian midfield and forward line with quick passes. The South African defence also had considerable problems dealing with the bustle and speed of Ben Slimane.
Seven minutes before half-time, Bafana Bafana had their chance to go ahead. A long pass from Motaung released Moshoeu, who used his speed to escape the Tunisian left-back before floating a cross into the box. Bartlett connected but his header was pushed away by Chokri El Ouaer. The ball then bounced perfectly for Khumalo, who only needed to keep it on target from close range. As the crowd held its breath Khumalo went for power than precision, skying his shot into the heavens.
South Africa came back into the match after that chance, finishing the half strongly with both Masinga and Bartlett coming close to breaking the deadlock.
South Africa continued their domination in second-half, controlling the midfield, while under Baya, was kept under a tight leash to hamper Tunisian attacks. Khumalo strayed more towards the wings and began to find more space. Six minutes into second-half, Masinga threatened the Tunisian goal – his diving header flashing wide.
By this time, South Africa had begun to pump in more crosses into their opponent’s box, trying to take advantage of the aerial weakness of the Tunisian defence. Despite this spell of ascendancy, Bafana Bafana failed to find the net – Bartlett was fairly anonymous while Masinga got into good positions but wasn’t having his best when it came to finishing. In the 64th minute, Clive Barker shuffled his forward line, taking off Masinga for Mark Williams – it was arguably the most important substitution in history of South African football.
In the 73rd minute, Doctor Khumalo stepped up to take a free-kick from just outside the box. He swung in a dangerous ball which was headed on by Mark Fish towards the far post where Eric Tinkler waited like an alert hunter.
In an almost perfect execution of a training ground routine, he headed in, only to see his shot bounce off the post. Motaung followed the loose ball and swung in a short cross which was headed in by Williams. South Africa one, Tunisia nil. The crescendo of celebrations could bring down roof of the stadium – even Mandela sprung from his seat, waving his cap in ecstasy.
The crowd had not even calmed down when 98 seconds later, Khumalo dispossessed Mounir Boukadida and then rolled on a precise pass towards Williams. The Wolves striker followed Khumalo’s pass then connected with his left foot, his grounder kissing the grass twice before nestling into the net. It seemed as if football gods were destined to smile on Mark Williams, a man who had made a great personal sacrifice to represent his country in its first major tournament.
With that second goal, the fight went out of Carthage Eagles. All South Africa had to do was keep calm for the next 15 minutes. The referee blew the long whistle after 93 minutes as Barker and his staff ran on the ground with South African flag fluttering on every corner of the stadium. Nelson Mandela’s Rainbow Nation had finally seed a memorable victory in its most popular sport.
A beaming Mandela handed over the AFCON trophy to Neil Tovey and in a repeat of the Rugby World Cup victory of 1995, he became one with the squad as it celebrated its triumph
FINAL
Match Summary
03/02/1996
FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
Attendance: 80,000
South Africa 2-0 Tunisia
Scorers: Mark Williams 73, 75
South Africa: A. Arendse, S. Motaung, L. Radebe, M. Fish,N. Tovey, L. Buthelezi (H. Mkhalele 51), E. Tinkler, J.Moshoeu, D. Khumalo, S. Bartlett, P. Masinga (M. Williams
65)
Tunisia: C. El Ouaer, M. Boukadida, H. Rekhissa, F.Chouchane, S. Jaballah, Z. Beya, R. Bouazizi (A. Hassen77), S. Fekhi, K. Godhbane (L. Hanini 46), A. Sellimi, M.Slimane
Referee: Charles Massembe (Uganda)
BY: GEORGE ‘Alan Green’ MAHAMAH
