South Africa awoke today to a giant football hangover after clinching a first appearance at the World Cup finals. Leeds defender Lucas Radebe captained the side to a 1-0 victory over the Congo yesterday, the goal scored in the 14th minute by his former Elland Road team-mate Phil Masinga.

Masinga blasted `Bafana Bafana' - `The Boys' as South Africa are known - into an early lead and then withstood considerable pressure. Shaven-headed Masinga, who joined newly-promoted Italian Serie A club Bari during the Italian close season, said he was determined to snatch an early goal before a crowd that far exceeded the 80,000 capacity of FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.

"It was wonderful feeling to strike the ball and see it sail into the roof of the net. It was the greatest thrill of my life," said the leading national team scorer.

Masinga has struck 13 times in 31 matches, including the winners in both World Cup qualifiers against the Congo (formerly Zaire).