'A win would be a miracle for Bafana Bafana'

Out of 10 African countries participating in this World Cup, nine have managed to qualify for the knockout phase, which is an extraordinary achievement. Only Tunisia failed to get out of the group stage, while others will play at least one more match and South Africa is among them. Bafana Bafana finally made it to the knockout stage, which is their historical achievement, and also recorded their third World Cup win in the process (a 1-0 triumph over South Korea). Now that history is made, their coach Hugo Broos is aiming higher but acknowledges that a win over co-host Canada would be ‘a miracle’. South Africa is the first team to play in the Round of 32, tonight at 22h and their opponent has also never won a knockout game before.

Who is the best? Africa!

“If we should succeed again to go through to the next round, I can say that should be a miracle for Bafana Bafana. I think we can say already now that the World Cup is a success for us. Everybody expected and hoped that we should be in the second round, and we are, but that doesn’t mean we are happy. Once you are there, you want more. Everyone wants to win again. It’s already historical, but can you imagine what it would be for Bafana Bafana if we go to the next round?” said Broos.

With historical success comes money

The South Africa coach also took a moment to comment on other African countries’ success so far.

“Maybe before, African teams didn’t really believe in themselves when they went to a World Cup because they played against the big countries. I think that changed a little bit in the past year. The belief is growing in Africa that we have good teams and we can play a certain role in World Cup. To think that there will be an African team to be world champion, that is a little bit too soon. But it can happen” said the Belgian.

WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE

Sunday

22.00: (5.80) S.Africa (3.70) Canada (1.73)

Monday

20.00: (1.73) Brazil (3.60) Japan (5.20)

23.30: (1.40) Germany (4.60) Paraguay (8.00)

Tuesday

04.00: (2.20) Netherlands (3.15) Morocco (3.75)

20.00: (3.50) Ivory Coast (3.55) Norway (2.10)

00.00: (1.30) France (5.80) Sweden (9.00)

Wednesday

04.00: (2.25) Mexico (2.95) Ecuador (3.85)

19.00: (1.30) England (5.20) Dr Congo (11.0)

23.00: (2.15) Belgium (3.25) Senegal (3.75)

Thursday

03.00: (1.43) USA (4.60) B&H (8.50)

22.00: (1.32) Spain (5.25) Austria (10.0)

Friday

02.00: (1.95) Portugal (3.40) Croatia (4.10)

06.00: (1.95) Switzerland (3.45) Algeria (4.00)

21.00: (3.15) Australia (2.95) Egypt (2.55)

Saturday

01.00: (1.17) Argentina (7.50) Cape Verde (16.0)

04.30: (1.70) Colombia (3.60) Ghana (5.50)

*** odds are subject to change