South Africa vs Zambia: History favours Chipolopolo against Bafana Bafana

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and Zambia’s Chipolopolo are set to lock horns again this Saturday in Gqeberha which will be their 25th meeting, more than South Africa has played against any other opponent.

History, however, leans in Zambia’s favour. Since their first clash at Soccer City in 1992, Bafana have managed just six wins, alongside nine draws and nine defeats. That debut encounter ended in a 1-0 victory for Zambia, Timothy Mwitwa scoring the first of 26 goals they’ve netted against South Africa. Bafana, by contrast, have scored 21.

Zambia’s dominance was underlined in their second meeting, a 3-0 win in the same Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group, their biggest margin of victory in the rivalry. But Bafana struck back in 1997 with a 3-0 triumph at Soccer City, eliminating Zambia from World Cup contention. Helman Mkhalele, now Bafana’s assistant coach, opened the scoring that day.

One of the most iconic encounters came on May 10, 1994 on Nelson Mandela’s inauguration day. With halftime extended so the new president could greet the players, South Africa rode the wave of “Madiba Magic” to a thrilling 3-1 win.

 Brendan Augustine and Doctor Khumalo scored immediately after the restart, and although Zambia pulled one back, Bafana held on. The Zambians admitted it was not a day for them to win.

The rivalry has spilled into continental tournaments too. The sides have met six times in the Africa Cup of Nations, though only once in the finals in Alexandria in 2006, where Chris Katongo’s late strike sealed victory for Zambia.

In friendlies, South Africa hold the edge with four wins, two draws, and two defeats. In World Cup qualifiers, the record is balanced: a draw in Lusaka followed by a home win for Bafana.