From 1994 to 2019: Ghana Black Stars and Bafana Bafana, who has the upper hand?

The last time South Africa shared the field with the Black Stars, Bafana Bafana held the west Africans to a goalless draw in an international friendly earlier this year.

Nearly seven months after that fixture, South Africa will attempt to get an all-important three points at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.

Since readmission, Bafana have played the Black Stars on 12 occasions – 4 wins, 5 draws and 3 defeats – with the first clash dating back to November 1994.

A 15 000-strong crowd travelled to Loftus Versfeld Stadium where Ghana fielded the likes of Samuel Osei Kuffour, Abedi Pele Ayew, Frank Amankwah and Robert Sabah.

Clive Barker’s South Africa beat Ghana 2-1 courtesy of goals from legendary Marks Maponyane and Theophilis Khumalo with Amankwah grabbing a late goal for the Ghanaians.

That victory was the first of four wins South Africa would get over the Black Stars.

Image and statistics courtesy 11v11.com

In 1996, Bafana beat Ghana 3-0 in an AFCON semi-final with John Mosheau scoring a brace and Shaun Bartlett netting a goal to guide South Africa to the final.

Bafana were crowned AFCON champions after beating Tunisia in the final to claim their first major trophy – and sadly the national team’s last.

Thursday’s clash is the first step towards a possible final in 2021 where Cameroon will host the tournament.

Ghana’s first win over South Africa only came in a World Cup qualifier 10-years after Bafana Bafana were granted readmission in 2004.

Sulley Muntari and Stephan Appiah were on the scoresheet as Ghana dismantled South Africa 3-0 in Kumasi.

A year later in 2005, Ghana travelled to South Africa and left with three points as Bafana Bafana failed to qualify for the World Cup in Germany.

Ghana, currently ranked 7th in Africa, are expected to once again defeat South Africa (12th) who are going into their second match under new coach Molefi Ntseki.

Ntseki’s first match came in the Nelson Mandela Challenge last month against Mali in which South Africa won 2-1 courtesy of goals from Dean Furman and Themba Zwane.

The 50-year-old has recently stated that he hopes Bafana Bafana can hold their nerve and grind out a positive result.

Kick-off is at 21:00 on Thursday evening (SA time).

BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD:

Goalkeepers

Darren Keet (Leuven, Belgium), Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United), Ricardo Goss (Bidvest Wits)

Defenders

Erick Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Buhle Mkhwanazi, Thulani Hlatshwayo (Bidvest Wits), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mosa Lebusa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thamsanqa Mkhize (CT City), Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates), S’fiso Hlanti (Bidvest Wits),

Midfielders

Kamohelo Mokotjo (Brentford, England), Thato Mokeke (CT City), Dean Furman (SuperSport United), Lebogang Phiri (Guingamp, France), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thulani Serero (Al Jazira, Abu Dhabi), Aubrey Modiba (SuperSport United), Mothobi Mvala (Highlands Park), Bongani Zungu (Amiens FC, France)

Forwards

Lebo Mothiba (Strasbourg, France), Bradley Grobler (SuperSport United), Kermit Erasmus (CT City) Thembinkosi Lorch (Orlando Pirates), Percy Tau (Club Brugge, Belgium)

GHANA SQUAD:

Goalkeepers

Richard Ofori (Maritzburg FC, South Africa), Felix Annan (Asante Kotoko, Ghana), Razak Abalora (Azam FC, Tanzania)