South Africa

FIFA World Ranking (November 2001): 34th

2002 World Cup qualifying: Won Africa "Group 5" (5-0-1; 10 GF, 3 GA)

2001 Overall Record: 6-4-4

World Cup final appearances: 2 - 1998 (24th), 2002

Overall Record in WC: 0-1-2

Record vs. U.S.: 0-1-0; 0 GF, 4 GA

Most Recent Match vs. U.S.: U.S. 4, South Africa 0 in Washington, D.C.; June 3, 2000 (Jones-2, Reyna, Stewart)

Manager: Carlos Queiroz (POR)

Championship Honors: 1996 African Nations Cup champions

Key Players: Phil Masinga (F, Bari), Mark Fish (D, Charlton)

Fast Facts: Making just their second appearance in the World Cup, the country just missed out on their quest to host the 2006 tournament. ... Best known for their return to the international stage in winning the 1996 African Nations Cup at home. ... The team is nicknamed "Bafana Bafana," which means "the boys" in Zulu. ... Despite their success at other sports, it is football that is the true passion for the majority of South Africa's 43 million people.