Mokoena penalty keeps South Africa alive at World Cup

Mokoena buries late penalty, Bafana Bafana alive

Teboho Mokoena. A cool penalty in the 83rd minute, and South Africa have their first World Cup point since 2010. Your team drew 1–1 with the Czech Republic on Thursday in Atlanta, and frankly, you deserved more (2) (3) (5) (6).

Michal Sadilek had given the Czechs an early lead, catching the defence off guard from a long throw by Vladimir Coufal (4). But Bafana Bafana kept pressing. Mokoena converted from the spot, and South Africa pushed hard for a winner deep into stoppage time (3) (7).

This was the response you needed after the Mexico loss.

Broos: 'This is Bafana Bafana'

Hugo Broos did not hide his pride. "When you see the reaction after the game against Mexico, this is Bafana Bafana, we play good football, we are aggressive, we have chances," he said after the match (4).

The one regret: the early lapse on that Coufal throw-in. "Everyone knows that number five is throwing very far, but in the beginning of the game, we were surprised by that. It's a pity" (4).

Broos was direct about the venue too. "To be very honest, that is a fantastic stadium, but it is not a football stadium. I like playing in an open stadium. I don't feel the atmosphere when we compare it with the Azteca, that is a real football stadium" (8). The match was played at the Atlanta Falcons' NFL stadium.

Group A: still in your hands

South Korea and Mexico faced off later Thursday in the other Group A fixture. Your team sits on one point from two matches, with the group table tightening ahead of the final round of group-stage fixtures (1).

The Czech Republic also have one point. Qualification is not out of reach, Bafana Bafana will need a result and some help, but the door is open (1).

Fan-reaktioner

The relief was audible. Mokoena's goal broke a 16-year World Cup scoring drought, South Africa had not found the net at a World Cup since 2010, and the match thread on r/worldcup captured the moment with a mix of disbelief and pure joy. The late chance in the 97th minute had fans dreaming of a winner, but the point was celebrated like a victory. Watch the penalty.