Bafana Bafana secured a 1-1 draw against Czechia on 18 June 2026 in Atlanta after coming from behind, keeping their 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes intact.
Czechia took the lead in the sixth minute through Michal Sadílek at Atlanta Stadium. South Africa equalised in the 83rd minute when Teboho Mokoena converted a penalty awarded after Thapelo Maseko’s cross struck Pavel Šulc’s arm.
Coach Hugo Broos said after the match: “I think that we played a very good game today except for one moment in the beginning of the first half... So, I think we deserved more today because sometimes you need a little bit of luck.”
Mokoena will miss the final group match against South Korea on 25 June after receiving his second yellow card. Captain Ronwen Williams defended the team against recent criticism, stating that the players trust the technical staff and each other.
South Africa must beat South Korea in Monterrey to advance from Group A.
