Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana are two matches away from qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Standing in the way are Zimbabwe in Durban on Friday and Rwanda in Mbombela next Tuesday.
In the build-up to the games, let’s honour those who knew how to find the net for our national side.
BAFANA BAFANA’S TOP 5 GOAL-SCORERS OF ALL TIME
1. Benni McCarthy – 31 goals
At number one is the Hanover Park-born legend Benni McCarthy, with 31 strikes in 80 appearances. His international career took off at the 1998 AFCON in Burkina Faso, where he struck his iconic four goals against Namibia at just 20 years of age. Later that same year, McCarthy scored Mzansi’s first-ever goal at a World Cup in the 1-1 draw with Denmark in Toulouse.
2. Shaun Bartlett – 29 goals
Behind McCarthy is Shaun Bartlett. Hailing from Maitland, Cape Town, the towering center forward found the net 29 times in 74 matches. His former clubs include Cape Town Spurs, FC Zurich in Switzerland, Charlton Athletic in the English Premier League, Colorado Rapids and NY Metro Stars in America’s Major Soccer League. He was famous for his aerial power and sharp finishing.
3. Katlego Mphela & Bernard Parker – 23 goals each
Two former Kaizer Chiefs strikers. Katlego ‘Killer’ Mphela is remembered for his long-range rockets, especially the free-kick against Spain in the 2009 FIFA Confederation Cup. Bernard Parker was a superbly technical left-footed striker with 23 goals in 72 games.
4. PHILEMON MASINGA – 18 GOALS
Phil ‘Chippa’ Masinga, the pride of Klersdorp, North West. Think his iconic thunderbolt goal against Congo, which booked Bafana Bafana its first-ever World Cup appearance at France 98. The former Leeds United target man retired from international football with 18 goals in 58 appearances.
5. Siyabonga Nomvethe – 15 goals
Closing the list is Siyabonga ‘Bhele’ Nomvethe. Known for his sublime dribbling and speed, the former Udinese attacker scored 15 times for Bafana Bafana, including that famous finish against Slovenia to seal Mzansi’s first-ever win at a World Cup during the 2002 edition in Korea-Japan.
