Mark Fish vs Shaun Bartlett
South Africa against South Africa. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Mark Fish
South Africa · 1995–98 · CB
- Almanac rating
- 83
- Rank in South Africa
- #7 of 33
- Caps
- 62 · 2 goals
- Clubs
- Orlando Pirates, Bolton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic
The quarter-final against Algeria in January 1996 was goalless into the 72nd minute when Fish, a centre back, scored the first goal of a night that ended 2-1 to South Africa. He lifted that Africa Cup of Nations a week later, had won the African Cup of Champions Clubs with Orlando Pirates in 1995, was runner-up in 1998, and made the Team of the Tournament in 1996, 1998 and at the 1997 Confederations Cup. Career record: 62 caps and 2 goals for South Africa; club career at Orlando Pirates, Bolton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic.
Shaun Bartlett
South Africa · 1996–2001 · ST
- Almanac rating
- 83
- Rank in South Africa
- #8 of 33
- Caps
- 74 · 28 goals
- Clubs
- Cape Town Spurs, FC Zürich, Charlton Athletic
Charlton were leading Leicester 1-0 at The Valley on 1 April 2001 when Bartlett, on loan from Zurich, hit the left-foot volley that won the BBC goal of the season. Second only to Benni McCarthy among South Africa's scorers, with 29 goals in 74 caps, he won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, scored twice at France 98, and made the Team of the Tournament when Bafana took third place in 2000. Career record: 74 caps and 28 goals for South Africa; club career at Cape Town Spurs, FC Zürich, Charlton Athletic.
The verdict
The almanac cannot separate them: both are rated 83.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.