Bafana Bafana’s Historic FIFA World Cup Run Comes to an End
The World Cup dream for Bafana Bafana has come to an end. The South Africans lost to Canada by a lone late decider in stoppage time at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. With the loss, Mzansi’s best eleven crashed out of the Round of 32, which marked a historic first for the team in reaching the knockout stages. It was the first time in almost twenty years that the two met for an international friendly, which went Bafana’s way by two goals to nil.
The boys came into the largely unchanged save for the start of Teboho Mokoena, who was suspended from playing in the South Korea encounter during the deciding group stage match. South Africa played defensive football throughout the match, doing well to absorb the shock of the pressure the Canadians were piling against them. And while the North Americans were able to test Ronwen Williams on a number of occasions, including several point-blank strikes, the goalie was equal to the task.
Defender Mbokazi against Tojan Buchanan | SUPPLIED
South Africa played a physical, though oftentimes porous, defensive unit, with Ime Okon and Mbekezeli Mbokazi keeping the back line strong and holding the shape of the wall, while Khuliso Mudau foraged forward with ambitious runs.
South Africa’s defence became undone after 90 minutes when Canadian vice-skipper Stephen Eustáquio fielded a loose ball headed in his direction by Okon, before he fired home a ball from outside the box, placing it at the bottom left corner, too far for the hands of Williams to reach.
Canada celebrating the goal | SUPPLIED
With the elimination, Bafana’s historic run came to an end. Hugo Broos, the team’s head coach, refused to commit to leaving Bafana Bafana after the game despite his time with the national team slowly coming to an end.
“It’s not clever to make decisions when you are disappointed,” he said in the conference room when asked about leaving the team.