South Africa's captain has led the tributes to the experienced coach after Bafana Bafana secured a monumental place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stages. The 36-year-old goalkeeper delivered an emotional message of thanks to the Belgian tactician following their historic victory over South Korea on Thursday.

The mandate was clear for Hugo Broos and his troops, win and they would make history, anything else would end in failure. They rose to the occasion magnificently, delivering a disciplined, determined performance to emerge victorious and set up a Round of 32 clash with Canada on Sunday where the dream of progressing to the next round is very real.

Coming into a high-stakes clash with history within reach, Bafana Bafana knew exactly what was required to secure a place beyond the group stages. The mandate was clear for Hugo Broos and his troops, and they rose to the occasion, delivering a disciplined and determined performance to emerge victorious and keep their World Cup dream alive.

All the details of the match between Hugo Broos' Bafana Bafana and Hong Myung-bo's Taegeuk Warriors in both teams final Group A fixture. The Asian team need just a draw to be guaranteed a place in the Round of 32 whereas South Africa need all three points to progress.

The South African national team captain has issued a defiant rallying cry ahead of Bafana’s high-stakes World Cup showdown against South Korea. With their tournament hopes hanging by a thread, the skipper insists that the team’s unique brotherhood and mental resilience will be the deciding factors in Monterrey.

The South African legend has called on the national team skipper to step into the moment and embrace the weight of leading his country on football’s biggest stage. As the 2026 FIFA World Cup unfolds in North America, Mokoena insists the Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper has already shown he belongs among football’s elite.