Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena says South Africa are no longer content with simply making history at the FIFA World Cup, revealing that the squad now believes a place in the semi-finals is within reach.
Hugo Broos’ side booked their place in the knockout stages for the first time in the nation’s history after defeating South Korea 1-0, capping off a remarkable group-stage campaign that few outside the dressing room believed was possible.
The 29-year-old is set to return for Bafana in Sunday’s Round of 32 encounter against Canada after serving a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards.
For Mokoena, wearing the national colours at football’s biggest tournament is the fulfilment of a lifelong dream.
“As a young kid, my ambition was always to represent the country,” he told FIFA.
The midfielder admitted that Bafana Bafana needed time to settle into the tournament, with the opening match proving to be an eye-opening experience.
“I think the first game came as a shock for the team. We were a bit nervous. But now we understand what is expected from us.”
That growing confidence was evident when Mokoena stepped up to convert a crucial penalty against Czechia, saying he never allowed the pressure of the occasion to overwhelm him.
“The good thing is I wasn’t nervous. When I had the ball, I just told myself, ‘Whatever happens, happens.’”
Although delighted to score, he admitted there was one small frustration.
“I was relieved, I was excited. I was sad when I got the yellow card.”
Mokoena also spoke about experiencing the World Cup from the stands while serving his suspension against South Korea, saying it made him appreciate the scale of the tournament even more.
“When I was in the stands watching the guys walk in, that’s when I realised how big the World Cup is. I got goosebumps. I just wanted to be part of the guys on the field.”
Watching from the sidelines was not easy, but it allowed him to support his teammates from a different perspective.
“It’s bad. I hate it. It’s not nice. But when you’re outside, you become a fan.”
The achievement of reaching the knockout stages is one he believes extends far beyond the current squad.
“It’s history for the country, history for ourselves, history for where we come from.”
South Africa’s progression has come despite widespread predictions that they would fail to escape the group stage.
“The probability of us getting out of the group was one percent, so no one believed in us.”
Now, with Bafana preparing to face Canada for a place in the last 32, Mokoena says belief inside the camp has grown significantly, with the players refusing to set limits on what they can achieve.
“The boys feel we can go to the semifinals. We’re in it together.”
Having already rewritten South African football history, Bafana head into Sunday’s clash against Canada with renewed confidence and the return of one of their key midfielders, convinced that their remarkable World Cup journey is far from over.
Written by: Sandile Ndumo
