South Africa qualified for the 2002 FIFA World Cup after a strong performance in the CAF (African) qualification campaign, finishing top of Group E in the second round.

This achievement marked the nation’s second consecutive World Cup appearance, following their debut at France 1998. Under the guidance of Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, Bafana Bafana topped a group that included Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Malawi, and Guinea – though the latter were expelled midway through the qualifiers due to government interference in football affairs, a violation of FIFA regulations.

The qualification journey began in 2000, and South Africa were favourites to progress from the group. They lived up to expectations by showing consistency and discipline throughout the campaign. Queiroz brought a sense of organisation and structure to the team, blending experienced players with emerging talents.

His tactical approach emphasised solid defensive organisation and efficient attacking transitions, allowing South Africa to avoid defeat in their group matches.

Key players such as Shaun Bartlett, Delron Buckley, Benni McCarthy, Quinton Fortune, and Sibusiso Zuma played pivotal roles during the qualifiers. South Africa’s disciplined performances, both home and away, ensured they steadily accumulated points and maintained their lead in the group standings.

Their closest challengers were Zimbabwe, who mounted a strong campaign but ultimately fell short. Burkina Faso and Malawi showed flashes of competitiveness, but neither had the consistency or depth to seriously threaten South Africa’s bid.

Guinea, meanwhile, started the campaign with promise but were disqualified in March 2001 after the Guinean government failed to comply with FIFA demands for the reinstatement of the national football association’s executive committee, which had been dissolved. Their expulsion meant all their results were annulled, simplifying the path for the remaining teams.

By the end of the campaign, South Africa had secured qualification with a game to spare, confirming their place at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan. However, the celebrations were somewhat tempered by the resignation of Carlos Queiroz shortly after qualification was secured.

The decision came amid reported tensions with officials at the South African Football Association (SAFA), particularly over issues of team management and planning for the tournament. Despite his success in steering the team to the World Cup, Queiroz felt undermined and chose to step down, a move that caused some instability in the camp ahead of the finals.

Nevertheless, Queiroz’s contribution to South Africa’s qualification was undeniable. His tenure laid the groundwork for a competitive national team, and was a fine chapter in the history of South African football.