Even before Bafana Bafana took to the field against Mexico in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the prophets of doom, both in South Africa and abroad, had already written the team off. They gave Bafana no chance. After Bafana’s disappointing display and 2–0 defeat to Mexico, some unpatriotic South Africans even suggested that the team should return home to avoid further humiliation.
Worse still, when Czechia took an early lead in the second game, many of these prophets threw their hands in the air in despair, convinced that they had been vindicated. However, Tebogo Mokoena silenced them with a brilliantly taken penalty. Even then, they gave Bafana no chance of progressing.
Last Thursday morning (at exactly 03:00), Hugo Broos’ boys, buoyed by the draw against Czechia and realising that another draw against Korea would not be enough, accomplished what most people had considered impossible. They displayed a new determination to fight for their nation and overcome their cheeky opponents. From the outset, they defended resolutely against the speedy Koreans, marshalled the midfield brilliantly, and attacked relentlessly. Relebohile Mofokeng sprayed accurate passes to the wingers, catching the overconfident Koreans by surprise, while Thapelo Maseko gave them a torrid time whenever he was in possession. The message was clear: Bafana meant business and were determined to reach the knockout stage by overpowering the Korean dynamos.
Of course, it was a nerve-wracking 90 minutes for those of us who desperately wanted a victory and who continued to believe in our boys, led by Hugo Broos and Helman Mkhalele. There were anxious moments when the Koreans made several dangerous incursions into the Bafana penalty area. However, our rock-solid defence, marshalled by Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Ime Okon, neutralised every attack, leaving the increasingly frustrated Koreans unable to find an early breakthrough.
It is unclear what Coach Broos told his motivated players at half-time, but it was evident that they returned to the field determined to leave everything on the battlefield. It was therefore no surprise when the effervescent Maseko was rewarded in the 62nd minute, unleashing a grass-cutter that gave the Korean goalkeeper no chance. That goal was undoubtedly South Africa’s most important since Phil Masinga’s thunderous strike in August 1997, which secured Bafana’s qualification for their first FIFA World Cup finals in France in 1998. Maseko has now etched his name into the annals of South African football history, and Bafana Bafana have defied all expectations by qualifying for the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
South Africa’s progression to the knockout stage of the World Cup in North America is historic indeed. In the previous three World Cups in which South Africa participated, Bafana were eliminated in the group stage. That has now changed. Bafana Bafana are back in business. The prophets of doom have been forced to eat humble pie, and South Africa is confidently preparing to take on co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles on Sunday, 28 June 2026.
I am not intimidated by Canada because, historically, Bafana have produced football legends such as Lucas Radebe, who captained Leeds United in England, and Benni McCarthy, who played in and won the UEFA Champions League. However, this is not a call for complacency. Rather, it is an affirmation of South Africa’s football pedigree.
In conclusion, credit must also go to the Bafana technical team, led by Coach Hugo Broos. Stubborn though he may be, it is to Broos’ credit that the barrage of criticism he received after the Mexico defeat did not make him dig in his heels. Instead, he abandoned his overly defensive approach and adopted a more attacking style that better suits Bafana Bafana. A lesser coach would have stubbornly stuck to his guns at the expense of the country. Thank you, Coach. Now take us even further in this great global tournament.
Sello Lediga is a writer and historian. His latest book, Ndizani Bafana Bafana – The Comeback Story of a Nation, is available online at www.sellolediga.co.za.
