New Delhi: South Africa made history early Thursday, finally making it to the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history, rescuing a campaign that began with a 2-0 loss to Mexico on opening night. From a ban to hosting the World Cup, to qualifying for the knockout stage, the South Africa football team has come a long way.
In 1961, FIFA had suspended South Africa due to growing pressure from the anti-apartheid movement. They were briefly readmitted in 1963, but the country was sidelined again soon due to their ongoing segregation policies.
During that period, South African laws banned mixed-race sports teams. In an infamous move, the South African team urged to send an all-white team for the 1966 World Cup and an all-black team in the 1970 World Cup.
In 1976, FIFA formally expelled South Africa, becoming one of the first major global sporting bodies to completely isolate the apartheid regime.
The turnaround marks a milestone for South African football. Following their ban, they hosted the tournament in 2010 but failed to advance beyond the group stage—a heartbreak that followed their previous early exits in 1998 and 2002. South Africa also became the first host nation to not qualify beyond the group stage.
As apartheid laws were being dismantled and political prisoners released, a non-racial South African Football Association (SAFA) was formed. FIFA officially reinstated the country on 3 July 1992, paving the way for the modern “Bafana Bafana” era.
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South Africa vs South Korea
On Thursday, the Bafana Bafana stunned an indifferent South Korea with a 1-0 victory on Matchday 3, with a 63-minute goal by Thapelo Maseko being enough for South Africa to book a place in the Round of 32, against co-hosts Canada.
Starting from the left, a quick pass to Tshepang Moremi, who carried the ball forward and cut in with a low, accurate cross to Maseko. The ball was tapped away from the left foot, with a precision bottom corner finish from Maseko. With this, South Africa finally made it to the knockout rounds on their fourth attempt.
South Africa’s victory has left South Korea in third position. The Reds now have to wait for all other group matches to end to see if they will be able to make it to the knockout stage as one of the eight best third-place teams.
On paper, the South African team would be considered weaker than South Korea, with only seven out of the 26-man squad playing outside the country. Maseko, who was on loan with the Cypriot side AEL Limassol ahead of the World Cup, finished off a break that started from within South Africa’s own half.
If South Africa manages to defeat Canada in the Round of 32, there will be another history in the making.
(Edited by Saptak Datta)