Maseko Fires Back at Critics as Bafana Make History and Set Up Canada Showdown
Bafana Bafana forward Thapelo Maseko has delivered an emotional response to critics after South Africa secured a historic place in the FIFA World Cup knockout stages for the first time ever.
The Hugo Broos-coached side booked their spot in the last 32 with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Korea Republic at Monterrey Stadium on Thursday morning. Maseko proved to be the match-winner, scoring the decisive second-half goal that secured South Africa’s progression and ensured a second-place finish in Group A.
The achievement marks a significant milestone for South African football, with Bafana advancing beyond the group stage of a FIFA World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history.
Their journey to the knockout rounds was anything but straightforward. South Africa opened their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to tournament co-hosts Mexico before recovering to earn a 1-1 draw against Czechia. Facing a must-win encounter against Korea Republic, Bafana delivered when it mattered most.
Speaking to SABC Sport after the historic victory, Maseko admitted the achievement felt surreal and praised the team’s resilience after enduring criticism throughout the tournament.
“It feels like a dream,” Maseko said. “Credit to all the players, the fans and everyone who stood by us. This win is for those who supported us and even those who didn’t.
“They said we only had a seven percent chance of getting out of the group, but here we are. We’ve been through some rough patches. After the first game, we were all over the media and the memes were trending, but this team showed that it is capable, strong and has the mentality to overcome challenges.”
Maseko’s comments reflect the remarkable turnaround engineered by Broos and his squad, who refused to let their disappointing start define their campaign.
Maseko Fires Back at Critics as Bafana Make History and Set Up Canada Showdown (Image: SAFA Media Team)
While celebrations continue back home, attention has already shifted to the next challenge.
South Africa’s opponents in the last 32 have now been confirmed, with Bafana set to face Canada on Sunday evening at Los Angeles Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 South African time.
Canada finished second in Group B after suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat to Switzerland in their final group-stage fixture. Like South Africa, the Canadians are also making their first-ever appearance in the World Cup knockout rounds.
That intriguing subplot guarantees a historic occasion, with both nations chasing an unprecedented quarter-final berth. One side will continue its dream run on the global stage, while the other will see its remarkable journey come to an end.
For now, however, South Africa can celebrate a breakthrough moment. After overcoming early setbacks and silencing doubters, Bafana Bafana have already written a new chapter in the country’s football history – and they are not done yet.