By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa take on South Korea in their final group-stage match, with both teams aiming for a place in the last 32 of the World Cup.
The fixture is scheduled for Thursday, 25 June, with a 3am kick-off at the Monterrey Stadium.
After two matches, a 2-0 defeat to Mexico and 1-1 draw against Czechia, Bafana Bafana sit at the bottom of Group with a single point.
Midfield maestro Teboho Mokoena is suspended and will be forced to watch from the sidelines. Sphephelo Sithole is expected to be tasked with filling the void left by Mokoena, and it will be a significant responsibility.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos told journalists in Mexico before the team’s crunch 2026 FIFA World Cup clash against South Korea.
“Well, I think it’s a special game for both teams. We have to win the game, we all know that. So, in one way, it’s easy because you know you have to win.”
“It is — or it can be — historical for South Africa to be in the second round. So, it’s a big motivation for us to do it well tomorrow and to win the game.”
“I think we were a little bit overwhelmed by the situation in our first game. We have a team that has a lack of experience in such games, in such events. And that’s why the reason also that we didn’t play like we wanted to play against Mexico.”
“The only thing I can say is that South Korea is a very disciplined and a good physical team.”
“When you see that today — not today, tomorrow — you play in extremely hot temperature, so that will ask a lot of energy of the players… So, maybe the weather conditions will play an important role tomorrow, that’s for sure.”
Hypothetically a draw could still see the South Africans qualify as one of the eight best third-placed teams, depending on results in the other groups, as well as the clash between Mexico and Czechia.
As things stand, as many as five teams are already on three points while occupying third place; placing them in pole position for that secondary qualification path.
In three previous World Cup participations, Bafana Bafana have never qualified for the knockout phase.
Broos’ influence on South African soccer over the past five years has been significant.
He is in his fifth year of a Bafana revamp, which seemed impossible when he took over in May of 2021. Under tacticians such as Pitso Mosimane, Gordon Igesund and Stuart Baxter, the South African senior men’s national team was in a constant state of regression.