Bafana Bafana will make their return in the Africa Cup of Nations when they open their Group E campaign against Mali on Tuesday evening.
Africa Cup of Nations
Teams: Mali v South Africa
Date: 16 January 2024
Venue: Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly
Bafana last featured in the tournament in 2019 under Stuart Baxter after they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Nigeria.
Hugo Broos' charges qualified for the tournament after finishing second, two points behind Morocco in Group K.
South Africa picked up three points from their opening two FIFA World Cup qualifying matches and had a disappointing warm-up friendly after they were held to a goalless draw by Lesotho last Wednesday.
The Eagles, meanwhile, qualified for their ninth consecutive tournament after topping their group with 15 points and with second-highest number of goals scored.
Mali secured four points from their opening two matches in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers and prepared for this match with a 6-2 trouncing of Guinea-Bissau in the first week of January.
The sides have met twice in the Afcon tournament, both in the quarter-finals, as Mali beat Bafana 2-0 in 2002 and beat them on penalties in the 2013 edition after a 1-1 draw in extra-time.
Here's how they line up:
Mali: Diarra, Traore, Haidara, Kouyate, Niakate, Bissouma, Sacko, Koita, Dieng, Sinayoko, Doumbia
South Africa: Williams, Mudau, Xulu, Mvala, Modiba, Sithole, Mokoena, Tau, Maseko, Zwane, Makgopa
Subs: Mothwa, Goss, Mobbie, Mashego, Appollis, Adams, Monare, Lepasa, Kekana, Sibisi, Mayambela, Morena
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