World Cup 2026: How South Africa evoked memories of Cameroon vs Argentina 1990

Africa Today at 07:55

Nafongo TRAORE

News Editor

11.06.26 FT World Cup

Mexico

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South Africa

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South Africa made history—but not in the way they had hoped. Facing the host nation in the opening match of World Cup 2026, Bafana Bafana finished the game with just nine men on the pitch. This rare and unwanted feat hadn’t happened since Cameroon pulled it off 36 years ago.

Before this match, the last team to end a World Cup opener with nine players was Cameroon in Italy 1990. Back then, the Indomitable Lions pulled off a massive shock by defeating Diego Maradona’s Argentina 1-0, even after André Kana-Biyik and Benjamin Massing were both sent off.

Thirty-six years later, South Africa joins Cameroon in this rare company, but without the same glorious ending. Bafana Bafana stumbled, losing two key players and jeopardizing their campaign in the tournament.

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