South Africa beats South Korea 1-0, reaches World Cup knockout rounds

South Africa edged South Korea 1-0 in their Group A clash at the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico on June 24, 2026. Thapelo Maseko scored the only goal in the 63rd minute, sending the Bafana Bafana to the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history. The result secured second place in the group behind nine-point winners Mexico, after an opening 2-0 loss to El Tri and a goalless draw with the Czech Republic.

This victory matters because it marks a breakthrough for African football at the tournament, showing that an African side can advance despite a shaky start. For fans across the continent, including Nigeria, it offers proof that resilience and tactical adjustments can pay off on football's biggest stage. South Africa will now face co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles on June 28, a match that will test their mettle against another strong side.

What should you know? The knockout match kicks off on June 28; keep an eye on the kickoff time and broadcast details. Will South Africa's historic run inspire Nigeria's Super Eagles in future qualifiers, and what lessons can Nigerian coaches draw from Hugo Broos's decision to bench star players and rely on squad depth?

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/06/25/south-africa-stun-south-korea-to-make-world-cup-history/