Bafana Bafana flirt with World Cup history ahead of South Korea tie

24.06.26 FT World Cup

South Africa

1

:

South Korea

0

Bafana Bafana are on the verge of making FIFA World Cup history as they look to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time ahead of their must-win clash against South Korea at Estadio Monterrey on Thursday (03h00).

South Africa head into the match sitting rock bottom in Group A standings, having picked up one point, while the Asians are in second place after accumulating three points in their opening two games.

While Bafana are in desperate need of maximum points to seal a historic knockout phase berth, Korea will be guaranteed a spot in the Round of 32 with a point, setting up a nervy affair for both teams.

Now, with history beckoning, Bafana head coach Hugo Broos says the prospect of guiding South Africa to a first-ever knockout stage appearance is a confidence boost for his players and the technical team, with everyone raring to go.

“It motivates us a lot, as you said, 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,” said the outspoken Belgian mentor.

Having had a successful spell as Bafana boss which includes a Bronze medal at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast and qualifying for the ongoing global showpiece, the veteran tactician is not distracted by how his tenure will be perceived.

“It's not important how I will be remembered, the most important thing is that we win tomorrow. I also want to be in the second round, it's my first and probably my last World Cup,” Broos added.

"So, I will do it well and I want success because this is something I'm used to, so I want it also this time and I want to be in the second round.

With the highly-anticipated match looming, the 74-year-old gaffer admits the tie will be decided by fine margins, stating that the tactical set-up in the opening exchanges will be key to which team reigns supreme in the encounter.

“This is a difficult game tomorrow, we have to win. What are we doing? Are we going for hundred percent from the beginning and maybe receive a goal? Or are we doing it the easy way in the beginning of the game? This is difficult to choose,” the coach continued.

"At the other end it's also easy, we just have to win the game, and I think this is the same question that South Koreans are asking themselves before the game as to what will they do. They are enough with a draw and they are sure to be in the next round.

"So, it's not easy, I think I can say that our choice is more easy because we have to do one thing and that's winning, and that is something we are going for tomorrow.

Whether Hugo Broos and his troops can etch their name in history by making it past the group stages for the first time in the nation's chronicles remains to be seen, with South Africa having failed to achieve the feat in the 1998, 2002, and the 2010 editions.

Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

Related teams and leagues

South Africa

South Korea

World Cup