Bafana Bafana, South Africa’s national football team, played its first international match after the country’s readmission to international sports on July 7 in 1992. This historic event marked the beginning of a new era for South African football after decades of isolation due to the apartheid regime.

The team, coached by Stanley ‘Screamer’ Tshabalala, played against Cameroon in an official friendly match at the Kings Park Stadium in Durban, winning 1-0 thanks to a late penalty from the legendary Doctor Khumalo.

The political and cultural significance of the match cannot be overstated. In 1991, South Africa was officially readmitted to international sport after the apartheid system was dismantled, and the nation was allowed to participate in FIFA and other global sporting bodies once again. It was a moment of great pride for the country, as it symbolised the breaking down of barriers and the coming together of South Africa’s diverse peoples on the world stage.

The game was highly anticipated, not just as a sporting event but as a national celebration of the country’s growing freedom. South Africa had been banned from most international competitions since the 1960s, and this match represented the beginning of its return to the global sports community.

The Bafana Bafana team on the day was captained by Neil Tovey, who would go on to lead the side to Africa Cup of Nations glory in 1996, and featured fellow football icons such as Khumalo, David Nyathi, Steve Komphela, Lucas Radebe, Fani Madida and Philemon Masinga.

Cameroon were chosen as opponents due to their strength and reputation as one of the best African teams. The Indomitable Lions famously reached the quarterfinals of the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, which at the time was the best showing by any team from our continent in the global tournament.

The Central Africans were also picked as a nod of respect to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) president at the time, Issa Hayatou, who helped smooth South Africa’s path back into international football.

South Africa and Cameroon played two further friendlies in the following four days, with the Indomitable Lions triumphing 2-1 in the second match, held at the Goodwood Show Ground in Cape Town, and a 2-2 draw in the third and final meeting at the FNB Stadium, ‘Soccer City’, in Johannesburg.