SA Hall of Fame honours football legends, again, from Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana eras

IN line with celebrating the heroes and heroines who won South Africa's maiden men's (Afcon 1996) and women's (Wafcon 2002) and only continental crowns, respectively, the SA Hall of Fame inducted several greats from the two eras on Friday night at Silverstar Casino in Krugersdorp.

Bafana Bafana (Afcon) and Banyana Banyana (Wafcon) will return to the biggest continental events next month and in March respectively. Both events will be hosted in Morocco.

Below, we look at the recent footballing inductees who have hoisted the country’s flag with pride during their respective careers.

Janine van Wyk

Van Wyk made history with Banyana in the 2022 continental showpiece in Morocco, becoming the first captain to lift the nation’s continental crown.

And that’s not all. Van Wyk was also the first captain to guide the team to the World Cup finals, in 2019 in France - a feat that will always be etched in the history books.

Although Van Wyk recently hung up her boots, she remains the highest-capped international player of all time in South African football - male or female - with 185 appearances for Banyana.

Clive Barker

Known for his helicopter celebration, Barker made history with Bafana when he guided the team to their maiden AFCON crown in 1996 and to their first-ever World Cup finals in 1998 in France.

His impact on the transformation of South African football - post the country’s readmission into global sporting events - is evident in the number of players who went on to build major domestic and international careers.

When his son, John, accepted his late father’s award, he mentioned how Barker considered all the players he coached during his Bafana tenure as his sons — highlighting the deep bonds they forged.

Doctor Khumalo

Khumalo was arguably the most talented footballer of his generation - not only because of his skillset on the pitch, but also due to his charismatic presence and good looks.

His footballing journey took him as far as MLS, but it was at Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs where he made the No. 15 jersey iconic. That’s why those associated with recreating the jersey in modern trends continue to make a fortune.

Khumalo’s career came full circle at Chiefs when he was part of the technical team - led by Stuart Baxter - that won the club’s last league title in 2015.

Mark Fish

A hard-nosed defender during his playing days, Fish was not the quietest character off the pitch either. On Friday, he reminisced about how he once missed training during a Bafana camp after celebrating their Mandela Cup win a bit too enthusiastically.

But despite that, his work rate on the pitch was undeniable. He lifted two continental crowns back-to-back, winning the 1995 Champions League with Orlando Pirates and the 1996 AFCON with Bafana.

After later spells in England and Italy, Fish said those experiences were the turning point that helped him refocus and move away from off-the-field distractions.

Mark Williams

Williams earned the moniker “The Nation Builder” after his brace in the 1996 AFCON final secured Bafana’s maiden continental crown on home soil.

By his own admission, Williams said that had he not abandoned the gang-related lifestyle of the Cape Flats - or turned down a multi-million-rand offer in England to represent Bafana at AFCON - he might never have made his country so proud.

Williams is also proud of his achievements in domestic football, including turning out for Kaizer Chiefs, one of the biggest clubs in South Africa.

Philemon Masinga

Tall in stature, Masinga seemed almost heaven-sent. He etched his name in South Africa’s football history after scoring the thunderbolt that secured Bafana’s qualification for their inaugural World Cup finals in 1998.

He continued to represent the nation with pride, scoring regularly and enjoying spells in the Italian Serie A - which Fish believes was the most competitive league at the time.

The late Masinga - whose award was received by his children Tinyiko and Sifiso - paved the way for future generations. Bafana’s recent qualification for the global showpiece is, in many ways, in honour of pioneers like him.

Aaron Mokoena

Mokoena is the highest-capped Bafana player with 102 appearances. His most memorable stint in the famous yellow and green jersey was captaining the side during South Africa’s hosting of the first World Cup on African soil, in 2010.

Thanks to his experience in England and the Netherlands, Mokoena is now passing on his knowledge to the next generation as a youth coach at SAFA.

Proud of his rise - especially being raised by a single mother - Mokoena believes the world is an open oyster for future generations, as long as they show they truly want it