South Africa kept their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive after securing a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic in a Group A clash in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18.
Midfielder Teboho Mokoena converted a penalty in the 83rd minute to cancel out an early Czech lead and earn Bafana Bafana a valuable point. The Czech Republic had taken the lead in the sixth minute through Michal Sadílek, whose strike was the fastest goal scored at the tournament so far. The goal came after a well-worked move involving Adam Hložek and Alexandr Sojka.
South Africa struggled to test goalkeeper Matěj Kovář for much of the match but were handed a lifeline when a handball by Pavel Šulc resulted in a penalty. Mokoena calmly converted from the spot for his 10th international goal. Both sides had opportunities to snatch victory in stoppage time, but neither could find a decisive second goal.
Despite not registering their first shot on target until the 74th minute, South Africa finished with superior statistics, enjoying 55 per cent possession, a 17-14 advantage in total shots and a 4-3 edge in shots on target.
The result leaves qualification from Group A finely balanced ahead of the final round of matches. South Africa will face South Korea, while the Czech Republic take on Mexico. However, South Africa will be without Mokoena for the decisive fixture after he received his second yellow card of the tournament, triggering a suspension.