South Africa head coach, Hugo Broos, has hailed Bafana Bafana’s historic qualification for the FIFA World Cup knockout stage as the culmination of five years of dedication, growth and belief.
The South Africans booked their place in the round of 32 for the first time ever after edging South Korea 1-0 in a tense Group A encounter in Monterrey on Wednesday.
A second-half goal from Thapelo Maseko proved enough to separate the two sides, although Broos admitted the final minutes were nerve-racking as South Korea pressed for an equaliser.
“It’s very difficult to explain how it feels — it’s a fantastic experience,” he said.
“We scored and then it was 20 minutes of heart beating and hoping the game should be finished as soon as possible.”
The achievement marks a remarkable recovery for Bafana Bafana, who began their World Cup campaign with a disappointing 2-0 loss to Mexico. A subsequent draw against the Czech Republic kept their hopes alive before victory over South Korea secured second place in the group.
South Africa will now face World Cup co-hosts Canada in the round of 32 in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Broos reserved special praise for the players he has worked with since taking charge of the national team five years ago.
“So yes, we are in the second round. It’s historic. But I’m very happy for the guys. I’ve worked with them for five years. And what we did in those five years is amazing.”
The decisive breakthrough came in the 63rd minute when Tshepang Moremi delivered a dangerous cross into the box. Maseko met it with composure and fired beyond goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu to put South Africa ahead.
South Korea mounted sustained pressure in search of a late leveller, but the South African defence stood firm to seal a famous victory and one of the greatest milestones in the nation’s football history.
