Bafana Bafana qualify for the World Cup knockout round
25 June 2026
Bafana Bafana boosted their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over South Korea in their Group A clash at the Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe early on Thursday morning.
The South African team enter the history books as they progress to the next round of the FIFA World Cup for the first time ever thanks to a Thapelo Maseko goal in the 2nd half.
The victory marks a significant boost for Hugo Broos’ side following their 1-1 draw against Czechia at Atlanta Stadium last Thursday and keeps their hopes of progressing in the tournament firmly on track.
South Africa entered the match without experienced midfielders Themba Zwane and Teboho Mokoena, both serving suspensions. Zwane continued to serve the three-match ban imposed by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee following the red card he received in the tournament opener against Mexico, while Mokoena was unavailable after accumulating yellow cards. However, Sphephelo Sithole returned to the squad after completing his one-match suspension following the red card he received against Mexico.
Bafana Bafana showed discipline and resilience throughout the match, successfully containing the South Korean attack before Maseko's winning goal handed South Africa a crucial victory.
Thapelo Maseko was named Player of the Match after scoring the decisive goal that secured South Africa's historic win.
Coach Hugo Broos said he was pleased with the team's performance. “I think we played a very good game, tactically. It was very good, and everybody did their job. The difference with this game and our previous match (against Czechia) was that when we had the ball, we were very dangerous, and that was very important.
“We had very quick players on the pitch, and we used them very well. We found the spaces during the good moments. And then, we needed that goal. We had a few chances in the first half, and I told the players at halftime to keep on believing,” he said.
The South African senior men’s national team is expected to return to training at its base camp in Pachuca, Mexico, as preparations begin for the important clash against co-hosts Canada in the Round of 32 in Los Angeles on Sunday, 28 June 2026.
SAnews.gov.za