25 June, KATHMANDU: South Africa winger and team-mate Relebohile Mofokeng believe Bafana Bafana can go even further after sealing a historic place in the Round of 32.
South Africa are determined to extend their historic FIFA World Cup 2026™ campaign after reaching the Round of 32 for the first time, with Tshepang Moremi insisting Bafana Bafana have the belief to “win the next match”.
The stakes could not have been any higher for Hugo Broos’ men heading when they stepped onto the Monterrey Stadium pitch for their final Group A clash. South Africa sat rock bottom of the standings with just one point from two matches, knowing only a win would keep their tournament alive.
After weathering an early onslaught from Korea Republic, Bafana Banafa gradually seized control with razor-sharp counter-attacks. The breakthrough came when substitute Moremi burst down the left flank and whipped a low cross into the box for Thapelo Maseko, who controlled beautifully before firing home a spectacular, historic winner.
“I feel incredibly proud and blessed,” Moremi told FIFA after helping secure a famous 1-0 victory over Korea Republic. “We’ve made history. It wasn’t easy, but I’m thrilled we pulled it off. Our focus now turns to winning the next match: we know we can do it.”
Relebohile Mofokeng echoed that confidence after an impressive display in Monterrey.
“We will fight to go as far as possible,” he said. “We truly believe in our ability to achieve this; we will trust in God and give everything we have to get where we want to be.”
South Africa endured a gruelling start to their campaign. A 2-0 defeat to co-hosts Mexico in the tournament opener left them reeling, but they fought back to snatch a vital late point against Czechia before peaking in their clash with Korea Republic. Mofokeng explained how they transformed their group stage fortunes in the final round.
“International football is the pinnacle, and as a national team player, you have to evolve constantly,” he said. “Continuous improvement is essential, both as a player and as a person.
“You must learn from past mistakes to sharpen up for the next match; failing to do so only leads to defeat. We grew into the tournament game by game, and that is what matters most in football.”
South Africa’s footballing ambition has soared in recent years. Securing bronze at the 2024 CAF Africa Cup of Nations – their first continental podium finish since winning the title in 1996 and finishing runners-up in 1998 – injected new confidence into this crop of Bafana Bafana player.
It fuelled their drive to qualify for the biggest-ever FIFA World Cup™ after a 12-year absence. The national team’s resurgence is mirrored at the domestic level, with South African clubs thriving in continental competitions; Mamelodi Sundowns’ finished as runners-up in the 2025 CAF Champions League and won the 2026 title weeks before this World Cup.
“South African football is evolving season after season,” said Mofokeng. “This generation is truly incredible. I believe I am playing alongside some of the best players in the world; their performances are outstanding, and the majority of us play domestically.
“We are doing well for our country, and we must keep fighting for it, because if you don’t fight, no one else will do it for you. We just need to keep working hard to elevate our nation on the global football map.”
He emphasised that their ambition extends far beyond merely reaching the knockout stages, adding: “We will fight to go as far as possible. We truly believe in our ability to achieve this; we will trust in God and give everything we have to get where we want to be.”
South Africa face Canada at the Los Angeles Stadium on 28 June in their Round of 32 match.
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