ATLANTA: Bafana Bafana were desperately chasing the full three points on Thursday evening, but a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic has slightly restored their hopes at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Coach Hugo Broos watched his team concede an early goal in their second Group A match at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Many Bafana fans, still concerned after last week’s 2-0 defeat to Mexico, feared another loss.
The Belgians made changes in their starting eleven in Atlanta. Thapelo Maseko, Thalente Mbatha, and Oswin Appolis all started the match. Some believed the 1996 African champions could restore their pride.
The 2010 World Cup hosts played entertaining football and attacked the stubborn Czech side. Their golden chance to score a first goal in 16 years came through a penalty kick.
Maseko made his way into their final third before unleashing a shot at goal, which was blocked in the penalty area, and the American referee didn’t hesitate to point to the spot.
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena bravely volunteered to take the late penalty. He converted with a well-struck kick, much to the relief of the South African fans.
In his post-match reaction, Mokoena, who was visibly emotional during the singing of the national anthem, said he remembered his grandfather, who always believed in his ability as a footballer.
He further explained that he realised he was living his dream, playing in a sold-out stadium at the World Cup. “When I was overwhelmed, I was thinking of my late grandfather; I know wherever he is, he’ll be proud of me,” Mokoena said, as per FIFA.com.
“I just felt his presence at that moment; I knew if he was here, he would be proud of me cause I know he believed in me when nobody believed in me.
“I thought of my mom, my son – like the people who believe in me. I was so emotional, thinking that we’re playing in the World Cup, sold-out South Africa against the Czech.
“As a kid, I never thought I would be here; scoring that goal was a cherry on top. I was emotional; it’s a dream come true. I’m living my dream as a kid from Bethlehem; I know everyone back home is happy.”
BENNI MCCARTHY: WHAT THE BAFANA LEGEND SAID
Just after the hard-fought encounter, legendary Bafana striker Benni McCarthy, who remains the only South African player to taste UEFA Champions League glory, said Broos and his men should have slaughtered the Czechs.
The Cape Town-born retired striker, who also played for Ajax Amsterdam and FC Porto, believes that this was the definitive “must-win” fixture of the group stage, warning that an upcoming clash with South Korea will present an even steeper challenge for maximum points.
“I felt there was an opportunity for South Africa to make it a little bit easier for themselves,” said McCarthy on BBC Sport. “This was the game I would have targeted to really go for it and get three points because when you watch how South Korea played against the Czech Republic.
“If we say we have a chance against South Korea…I struggle.”
BROOS HITS BACK AT HIS CRITICS
Taking a swipe at his naysayers, Broos didn’t mince his words, saying that nobody knew his team but that he made all the efforts to restore the dignity of the national side.
In his eight-game winless run, the seasoned manager was in no mood to entertain the negativity, instead pointing to the extraordinary journey Bafana have been on since he took charge.
The 74-year-old mentor, usually referred to as ‘madala’ in local football circles, looked back at his qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, a third-place finish at the same tournament in 2023, and ultimately a historic return to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2010.
Broos was also lamented by many social media users in the football space, including legends and analysts, for his tactics against the Mexicans, but he preferred to say he “doesn’t care”.
“If you see five years, nobody knew Bafana Bafana, and look what we did in these five years, and now the results are not what people expect. They don’t think ‘are we able’; they just expect things,” he said, “and then you get the negative side of my job, the criticism, people wanting you to resign, and whatever,” he said per iDiski Times.
“Okay, but I’ve been in this job for 40 years; the criticism is just water off my body. They can write and say what they want; I do what I think I need to do, and today I think I did what I needed to do.”
In the next match against the Asians, Bafana will need a straight win and hope Mexico don’t lose to the Czechs. Bafana have a point with the Czech Republic, while the Koreans have three points and a single defeat.
Their final group match will be staged at the Estadio Monterrey in Mexico on Thursday, 25 June. Kick-off time is scheduled for 3:00 AM (CAT).
