South Africa secured a historic place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 after defeating South Korea 1-0 in their final Group A match.
A second-half strike from Thapelo Maseko proved decisive as Hugo Broos’ side produced a spirited performance to advance to the knockout stages of the global showpiece for the first time in the nation’s history.
Knowing that only victory would keep their hopes alive, Bafana Bafana rose to the occasion against a South Korean that only needed a draw to progress.
Many didn’t give the Bafana Bafana a realistic chance of progressing when the tournament began while a fewer believed they would still be standing after a difficult start to their campaign.
Yet Hugo Broos’ men ignored the predictions, silenced the doubters and delivered a historic result in Monterrey to advance as Group A runners-up.
So far, two representatives from the African continent have made it into the knockout stages of the ongoing 2026 World Cup.
On Wednesday, Morocco came from behind to defeat Haiti 4-2 to qualify for the Round of 32 of the tournament.
(The Whistler)