Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
South Africa have kept their heads above water at the 2026 World Cup after securing a 1-1 draw with Czechia at the Atlanta Stadium on Thursday.
Teboho Mokoena’s late penalty cancelled out an early opener from Michal Sadilek, as South Africa and the Repre (The Representatives) each registered their first point in Group A, while co-leaders Mexico and South Korea (who meet on Friday morning) have three points apiece.
South Africa made three changes compared to their starting XI against Mexico last week, with Nkosinathi Sibisi, Yaya Sithole (suspended) and Lyle Foster out, while Thalente Mbatha, Thapelo Maseko and Oswin Appollis came in.
The line-up may have changed, but it was another poor start from Bafana, who conceded as early as the sixth minute. Adam Hlozek and Alexandr Sojka combined to set up Michal Sadilek, who swept a left footed shot beyond goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to make it 1-0 to the Czechs.
South Africa grew into the game and had the more promising attacking moments through the remainder of the half, starting in the 12th minute when Oswin Appollis saw a deflected shot flash just wide of the target.
Khuliso Mudau offered a potent threaten when overlapping down the right, including a 37th minute attack when he drew goalkeeper Matej Kovar off his line and looked for a pull-back from the by-line, but his ball was intercepted by the Czech defence.
Teboho Mokoena also struck a powerful drive over the target in the final minute of regulation time before the interval, while injury time saw Kovar fumble a cross, but Thapelo Maseko’s attempt to capitalise was well blocked.
A goal down at the break, Bafana opted for a change at the start of the second half by introducing Relebohile Mofokeng in place of Jayden Adams. Yet it was Czechia who again started strongly, forcing a desperate block from Ime Okon and a finger-tip save from Williams, as well as a headed chance for Patrik Schick which was straight at the SA ‘keeper.
Midway through the second half, South Africa shuffled their pack in attack by swapping out Iqraam Rayners for Evidence Makgopa. However, they continued to lack intensity and creativity on the ball, with no clear chances created until the 81st minute when Maseko’s hopeful long-range shot hit the arm of Pavel Sulc and a penalty was awarded.
Teboho Mokoena took the spot kick and found the bottom corner of the net to make it 1-1 in the 83rd minute.
A frantic end to the match saw both South Africa and Czechia committing numbers forward in search of a winning goal, but neither was able to create a moment decisive enough to break the deadlock.
Czechia (1) 1 (M. Sadilek 6’)
South Africa (0) 1 (T. Mokoena 83’ pen)
Czechia: M. Kovar, R. Hranac, T. Holes, L. Krejci, V. Coufal, M. Sadilek (T. Soucek 67’), V. Darida (P. Sulc 55’), L. Cerv (D. Zima 78’), A. Sojka (J. Zeleny 55’), A. Hlozek (L. Provod 67’), P. Schick,
SA: R. Williams, K. Mudau, I. Okon, M. Mbokazi, A. Modiba, T. Mokoena, T. Mbatha, J. Adams (R. Mofokeng 46’), T. Maseko (K. Sebelebele 85’), O. Appollis, I. Rayners (E. Makgopa 66’)
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