Bafana Bafana fans sound bullish after their World Cup heroics against the Republic of Korea on Wednesday. Could they go deeper?
South Africa makes history at the World Cup
Bafana Bafana produced a performance for the ages to nullify a talented South Korea side and claim a 1-0 win, which will reverberate around the world. They’ve reached the knockout phase of a men’s FIFA World Cup for the first time. Winning was South Africa’s only chance of progress, and they did just that in a raucous Estadio Monterrey, where the atmosphere was enhanced with news of Mexico’s goals in a 3-0 win over Czechia trickling through.
Hugo Broos’ side produced a defensive masterclass, dealing with whatever South Korea threw at them and then repeatedly looking dangerous on the counter. Thapelo Maseko was the match-winner with a 63rd-minute strike. In truth, the Sundowns man could have had a hat-trick. Orlando Pirates star Relebohile Mofokeng caught the eye with his quick thinking, decision-making, penetrative passing and direct running. Maseko’s role as an inverted winger on the right side proved to be a constant thorn in the side of the Koreans. They meet Canada in the Round of 32 on Sunday, 28 June. Kickoff is a much more palatable 21:00 SA time. If Bafana gets past the Canucks, they’ll meet either Morocco or the Netherlands in the round of 16. Several South African fans online sound bullish about their chances of going to that stage and beyond.
Messi is still the gold standard
Lionel Messi’s ridiculous brilliance never gets old. The great man has five goals in the tournament so far, including a stunning hat-trick against Algeria. It was his first treble at a World Cup. Few would bet against the 39-year-old (his birthday is today, the 24th of June!) guiding his nation to the sport’s most coveted prize once again. Messi is now the most prolific goal-scorer in World Cup history with 18 strikes, at his sixth showpiece. The little maestro from Rosario is the first man to appear at six World Cups, although long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo joined him in that elite club when Portugal opened their campaign against DR Congo a week ago. The iconic attacker is the only player to score in six separate World Cups, after his brace against Uzbekistan.
