Bafana Bafana supporters could breathe a sigh of relief with history in their favour ahead of this afternoon's Africa Cup of Nations tie with Ivory Coast.
Bafana have faced the Elephants on six previous occasions over the past 24-and-a-half years and have yet to suffer a defeat.
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In their first ever meeting on 30 November 1994, at the Boetie Erasmus Stadium in Port Elizabeth, the two nations played to a goalless draw in the Simba Cup, under coach Clive Barker.
Legends such as Edward Motale, David Nyath, Neil Tovey, Doctor Khumalo, Eric Tinkler, Linda Buthelezi, Brendan Augustine, Augustine Makalakalane, Marks Maponyane and Helman Mkhalele were all in action that day, while current coach Ibrahim Kamara featured for Ivory Coast.
A 1-1 and 0-0 draws followed in proceeding years at the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations and 2002 continental qualifiers, but eventually broke their duck with a 2-1 victory in 2003, thanks to Shaun Bartlett and Siyabonga Nomvethe's goals.
Since then Bafana have managed a 1-1 draw in the 2011 Nelson Mandela Challenge and a 2-0 win in the same friendly showpiece in 2014, with Bongani Zungu and former Kaizer Chiefs and Chippa United striker David Zulu on target.
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Jackson Mabokgwane, Siyabonga Nhlapho, Patrick Phungwayo, Chris Komane, Kwanda Mngonyama, Thamsanqa Sangweni, Vuyisile Wana, Puleng Tlolane and David Zulu all started that day, while Zungu and Themba Zwane are the only survivors still present in the current national setup.
Stuart Baxter will be expected to maintain this record when the two sides clash in their Group D encounter at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo at 16h30.
A strong start to the competition in the way of either a win or draw could set South Africa on their way to the knockout stages, with the top two in each group and the four best third-placed teams across the six groups advancing to the Round of 16.
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