South Africa secured a historic place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 after defeating South Korea 1-0 in their final Group A match on Thursday.
Needing a win to keep their qualification hopes alive, Bafana Bafana delivered a determined performance, with Thapelo Maseko’s second-half strike proving enough to send Hugo Broos’ side into the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time in the nation’s history.
South Korea, who only required a draw to progress, made a bright start and nearly opened the scoring inside two minutes.
However, Aubrey Modiba produced a vital goal-line clearance to deny Kim Min-jae from a dangerous Lee Kang-in corner.
South Africa gradually settled into the contest and began to threaten through Relebohile Mofokeng, Maseko and Evidence Makgopa. Midfielder Thalente Mbatha came closest to breaking the deadlock before halftime when his powerful effort forced an excellent save from goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu.
With the match level at the break, South Africa found the breakthrough in the 63rd minute. Substitute Tshepang Moremi made an immediate impact after coming on, threading a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Maseko, who cut onto his left foot and fired a low shot into the bottom corner.
The goal transformed the complexion of the match, leaving South Korea chasing an equaliser to stay in contention.
Despite dominating possession in the closing stages, the Asians struggled to break down a disciplined South African defence.
Captain Ronwen Williams inspired from the back, while defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi marshalled the defence superbly as Bafana Bafana repelled wave after wave of South Korean attacks.
After six tense minutes of added time, the final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations among the South African players and supporters as the victory confirmed a place in the Round of 32 and a landmark achievement in the country’s football history.
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