South Africa battled back from an early setback to earn a 1-1 draw with Czechia in their Group A fixture at Atlanta Stadium on Thursday, a result that keeps Bafana Bafana’s World Cup hopes alive after their opening-day defeat to co-hosts Mexico.
Czechia struck inside six minutes when Adam Hložek delivered a dangerous cross from the right flank, and after a touch from Alexandr Sojka, Michal Sadílek reacted brilliantly to beat goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
South Africa, already under pressure after a chastening start to the tournament, were forced to dig in. In their opener against Mexico, Bafana Bafana had posted their lowest-ever totals for shots, expected goals and final-third passing in a World Cup match, leading to criticism of both Hugo Broos and Williams.
The response in Atlanta could hardly have been more emphatic. South Africa grew steadily into the contest, eventually dominating possession 61% to 39% and completing 541 passes at 90% accuracy compared to Czechia’s 300 at 82%. By full time, South Africa had also outshot the Czechs 17 to 12, with five efforts on target against three.
The decisive moment arrived in the 81st minute, when a goal-bound South African effort struck the arm of Czech substitute Pavel Šulc inside the area. Following a VAR review, referee Tori Penso pointed to the spot. Teboho Mokoena, who had been visibly emotional during the pre-match anthem, stepped up to send goalkeeper Matej Kovár the wrong way and level the scores.
It was a fitting moment for a player who had completed 92.9% of his passes against Mexico — the highest ratio by any South African player attempting 40-plus passes in a single World Cup match. Broos had also turned to substitute Evidence Makgopa at the break, adding fresh urgency to his side’s pursuit of an equaliser.
Notably, this was the first match in World Cup history to feature two head coaches both aged over 70 — Czechia’s Miroslav Koubek and South Africa’s Hugo Broos. Broos had been forced into the contest without the suspended Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane, both sent off in the defeat to Mexico.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos struck a cautiously optimistic tone after the match, saying his side could still reach the second round if they could repeat the level of performance shown in Atlanta. South Africa have never progressed beyond the group stage at a World Cup in three previous attempts. A loss to Czechia, combined with South Korea avoiding defeat to Mexico, would have been enough to eliminate Bafana Bafana altogether.
South Africa will next face South Korea in their final Group A fixture, though they will be without Mokoena, who picked up a second yellow card of the tournament and now serves a suspension.
