South Africa boasts nine unique goalscorers in World Cup finals: can you name them all?

Bafana Bafana face co-hosts Mexico in their Group A opener at Mexico City on 11 June, marking the tournaments inaugural match and a key encounter for Hugo Broos squad.

Next, they head to Atlanta in the United States for a showdown with the Czech Republic on 18 June, followed by their last group game versus South Korea in Monterrey, Mexico, on 24 June.

The team will play with structure and discipline, making them tough opponents to penetrate, though scoring will pose their main hurdle.

Tackling these three sides and overcoming their backlines feels worlds apart from facing Lesotho, Rwanda, and Benin.

In their prior nine World Cup outings, Bafana have netted 11 times, starting with their 1998 debut where they fell 3-0 to host nation France, eventual champions.

Nine distinct players have scored for them, and talents like Lyle Foster, Oswin Appollis, and Relebohile Mofokeng are keen to join the list.

Meet Bafanas nine goalscorers:

Benni McCarthy (2 goals): McCarthy notched Bafanas maiden World Cup strike, slotting past Peter Schmeichel up close during a 1-1 stalemate with Denmark in their second 1998 fixture. He struck again in 2002, in a 3-2 defeat to Spain that ended their group stage run for the second straight time.

Shaun Bartlett (2): Bartlett stands alone as the sole player to bag a double in a World Cup match for Bafana, firing twice against Saudi Arabia in a 2-2 tie during their closing 1998 group game. His second came via penalty.

Teboho Mokoena (1): This Teboho Mokoena differs from the current squad member of the same name. Both are, or were, robust midfielders with scoring flair, and the earlier version tallied against Paraguay in Bafanas 2002 opener in Japan and South Korea, securing a 2-2 draw. He played a vital role in that team.

Quinton Fortune (1): Among Bafanas finest overseas talents, Fortune spent seven years at Manchester United. He featured prominently in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, converting a late spot-kick to earn a draw versus Paraguay after trailing 2-0.

Siyabonga Nomvethe (1): Bafanas initial World Cup victory arrived in their second 2002 match, with Nomvethe bundling the ball in off his thigh for a 1-0 success over Slovenia. Never a high-volume scorer, he often delivered in clutch moments throughout his career.

Lucas Radebe (1): To progress from their final 2002 group clash against Spain, Bafana required at least a tie. They equalised at 2-2 in the 53rd minute via Radebes header, but he suffered a heavy knock and later said he recalled nothing of it. Rauls goal three minutes on secured Spains 3-2 triumph, and Bafana advanced no further due to inferior goal tally to Paraguay, 6-5.

Simphiwe Tshabalala (1): Arguably Bafanas most iconic World Cup moment was the 2010 opener, again versus Mexico. At 0-0, Tshabalala collected a left-flank pass and blasted into the net. Hailed as a strike for all Africa, yet Bafana could not protect it, settling for 1-1.

Bongani Khumalo (1): As a centre-back, Khumalo was an improbable marksman, soaring to nod in a corner against a chaotic France in Bafanas last 2010 fixture. A career highlight for the defender, who joined Tottenham Hotspur later but never debuted for the first team.

Katlego Mphela (1): Mphela spurned a prime opportunity to make it 2-1 versus Mexico near the end, but he delivered the decisive blow against France, clinching a 2-1 victory in Bloemfontein. It capped their campaign positively, though as hosts, they became the first to bow out in the groups. Still, Qatars 2022 whitewash remains the hosts poorest showing.