Pic; Bafana Bafana players celebrating their victory
By Kopano Dibakwane
For the first time in their history, Bafana Bafana are heading to the FIFA World Cup knockout stage.
A disciplined, gutsy 1-0 win over South Korea in Guadalupe on Wednesday morning saw Hugo Broos’ men secure second place in Group A and book a last-16 meeting with co-hosts Canada.
Beaten 2-0 by Mexico in the opener and missing key players such as Themba Zwane and Teboho Mokoena , Bafana were widely written off. A draw with the Czech Republic kept hope alive, but only victory over South Korea would do.
In the 63rd minute, substitute Tshepang Moremi burst down the left, beat his marker and cut the ball back to Thapelo Maseko. The 22-year-old winger controlled, shifted onto his left foot, and fired inside the near post to spark celebrations among the South African supporters.
Maseko became the second youngest goalscorer for South Africa in FIFA World Cup history at 22 year. He was named man of the match.
South Korea had a promising start. Kim Min-jae’s header was cleared off the line by Aubrey Modiba in the third minute, and Lee Kang-in fired wide soon after.
South Africa grew into the contest. Evidence Makgopa forced a strong save from Kim Seung-gyu before halftime, and Relebohile Mofokeng and Thalente Mbatha both tested the Korean keeper.
Coach Hong Myung-bo introduced captain Son Heung-min at halftime, but it was Broos’ changes that worked. As South Korea pushed, South Africa struck against the run of play.
The backline, questioned after earlier matches, remained disciplined under pressure to see out the contest.
The win moved South Africa to four points in Group A, behind Mexico’s nine. South Korea finished third on three points and must wait to see if they progress as one of the best third-placed teams.
For Bafana Bafana, it ends a long wait. The team had never progressed to the World Cup knockout stage before. Their last appearance was as hosts in 2010.
The victory by Bafana was widely embraced throughout the country as many South Africans are hopeful that the boys can pull the greatest upset in football history by reaching the last stage of the fierce tournament.
Bafana Coach, Hugo Broos, expressed his view following the historic moment of f qualifying for the knockout stage.
For weeks, the noise followed him. Questions about his tactics, debates over his selections, critics calling for changes after South Africa’s 2-0 loss to Mexico to open their 2026 World Cup campaign, but after watching his side deliver under immense pressure in Monterrey, Broos made it clear he felt entirely vindicated.
“I’m very proud of my team and I think we gave really a good answer to all those big mouths from previous weeks who wanted us to change things and wanted to tell us what we need to do,” “We did what I wanted to do and this is the result. I’m happy for my team,” Broos cautioned.
, Bafana Bafana are heading to the FIFA World Cup knockout stage.
A disciplined, gutsy 1-0 win over South Korea in Guadalupe on Wednesday morning saw Hugo Broos’ men secure second place in Group A and book a last-16 meeting with co-hosts Canada.
Beaten 2-0 by Mexico in the opener and missing key players such as Themba Zwane and Teboho Mokoena , Bafana were widely written off. A draw with the Czech Republic kept hope alive, but only victory over South Korea would do.
In the 63rd minute, substitute Tshepang Moremi burst down the left, beat his marker and cut the ball back to Thapelo Maseko. The 22-year-old winger controlled, shifted onto his left foot, and fired inside the near post to spark celebrations among the South African supporters.
Maseko became the second youngest goalscorer for South Africa in FIFA World Cup history at 22 year. He was named man of the match.
South Korea had a promising start. Kim Min-jae’s header was cleared off the line by Aubrey Modiba in the third minute, and Lee Kang-in fired wide soon after.
South Africa grew into the contest. Evidence Makgopa forced a strong save from Kim Seung-gyu before halftime, and Relebohile Mofokeng and Thalente Mbatha both tested the Korean keeper.
Coach Hong Myung-bo introduced captain Son Heung-min at halftime, but it was Broos’ changes that worked. As South Korea pushed, South Africa struck against the run of play.
The backline, questioned after earlier matches, remained disciplined under pressure to see out the contest.
The win moved South Africa to four points in Group A, behind Mexico’s nine. South Korea finished third on three points and must wait to see if they progress as one of the best third-placed teams.
For Bafana Bafana, it ends a long wait. The team had never progressed to the World Cup knockout stage before. Their last appearance was as hosts in 2010.
The victory by Bafana was widely embraced throughout the country as many South Africans are hopeful that the boys can pull the greatest upset in football history by reaching the last stage of the fierce tournament.
Bafana Coach, Hugo Broos, expressed his view following the historic moment of f qualifying for the knockout stage.
For weeks, the noise followed him. Questions about his tactics, debates over his selections, critics calling for changes after South Africa’s 2-0 loss to Mexico to open their 2026 World Cup campaign, but after watching his side deliver under immense pressure in Monterrey, Broos made it clear he felt entirely vindicated.
“I’m very proud of my team and I think we gave really a good answer to all those big mouths from previous weeks who wanted us to change things and wanted to tell us what we need to do,” “We did what I wanted to do and this is the result. I’m happy for my team,” Broos cautioned.
