Bafana Bafana’s journey in the World Cup came to an end after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Canada in the Round of 32 at the SoFi Stadium in California.
South Africa got off to a great start and produced the first opportunity in the sixth minute when the ball fell to Teboho Mokoena, who unleashed a shot from distance forcing Maxime Crépeau into make a save.
Canada should’ve have taken the lead in the 22nd minute when Stephen Eustaquio’s free-kick picked out an unmarked Derek Cornelius in the box, but the defender headed his effort straight into the hands of Ronwen Williams.
The Canadians produced another chance in the 35th minute when Tani Oluwaseyi unleashed a shot from a tight angle but Williams was on hand to make a comfortable save.
South Africa had a nervy moment in the 44th minute when Liam Millar lifted the ball into the box and found Moïse Bombito, who head the ball towards goal but Aubrey Modiba was on the line to clear it off the line before Williams made a point-blank save to deny Tajon Buchanan on the rebound.
Canada thought they should’ve been awarded a penalty in stoppage-time after Richie Laryea looked to have been bundled over by Mudau but the incident was cleared by VAR.
The match went into the half-time break locked at 0-0 as neither side could find the breakthrough.
Hugo Broos opted for fresh legs at the restart as Relebohile Mofokeng was taken off and replaced by Thalente Mbatha.
Jesse Marsch made a double change in the 59th minute as Luc de Fougerolles and Niko Sigur was brought on to replace Bombito and Saliba.
South Africa had a great opportunity to take the lead just after the hour mark when Oswin Appollis beat his marker on the edge of the box before firing his effort on goal but the winger blazed his effort just wide of the target.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi came to his side’s rescue in the 65th minute when he raced back and put his body on the line to clear the ball away from danger after Williams denied Olawaseyi.
Superb defending.
Marsch made his third and fourth substitution in the 70th minute as Millar and Olawaseyi were replaced by Jacob Shaffellburg and Promise David.
Bafana should’ve take the lead five minutes later when substitute Mbatha fired an effort at goal from outside the box but the midfielder saw his effort sail wide of goal.
Canada responded and had a chance of their own a minute later substitute Alphonso Davies played a brilliant curling pass to Davids, who’s first-time strike flew narrowly wide of the target.
Williams came to Bafana’s rescue in the 78th minute when he produced a point-blank save to deny Jonathan David from a tight angle.
Appollis nearly handed South Africa the lead in the 85th minute when he made space for himself before drawing an impressive save out of Crepeau.
Broos made two more substitutions as Makgopa and Maseko made way for Tshepang Moremi and Iqraam Rayners in the 86th minute.
Canada eventually found the back of the net in stoppage-time when a cross was half-cleared at the near post falling into the path of Eustaquio, who volleyed the ball home from just outside the box.
The host held on to their one-goal lead until the final whistle to secure their place in the next round of the tournament, while Bafana crashed out of the global showpiece.
