After failing at their first attempt to qualify in 1994, the early years of Bafana’s participation in AFCON competitions brought much pride to the nation, as they won it on home soil in 1996 and then finished second and third in 1998 and 2000 respectively.
However, Bafana Bafana suffered embarrassing defeats in the hands of countries like Sierra Leone, Mauritania and Niger in the AFCON 2021.
In its 21 years victories, South Africa have managed just two quarter-final appearances in six tournaments and were on four occasions eliminated at the opening group stage.
“Not qualifying has dented our image, it has dented our possibilities of improving our rankings,” Molefi Ntseki says.
“As players, as coaches, we are very much aware of the disappointment and emotional pain which we have caused all South Africans.”
