Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt
- Hugo Broos said the last 20 minutes were hard to watch as Bafana protected their lead against South Korea.
- The Bafana coach called the win historical and said it was the result of five years of work with the squad.
Hugo Broos says his heart was racing as Bafana Bafana held on to beat South Korea.
The win sent South Africa into the last 32 of the 2026 Fifa World Cup for the first time.
Bafana beat South Korea 1-0 in Monterrey on Wednesday. Thapelo Maseko scored the winner in the 63rd minute.
But Broos admitted the final minutes were painful.
“The last 20 minutes my heart was beating and I wanted the game to be over as soon as possible,” he said.
Broos said the win was difficult to describe.
“I know how it feels but it is difficult to explain,” he said.
“It is a fantastic experience. It was so tough today but we played a very good game and had chances and were tactically very good.”
Broos said Bafana made it hard for South Korea to find space.
“We defended well and were dangerous,” he said.
The coach called the moment historical and said he was proud of the team’s journey.
“This is historical, I am very happy for the guys. What we did in the last five years is amazing,” he said.
Broos took over as Bafana coach in 2021.
Since then, he has helped rebuild the national team. Bafana finished third at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and qualified for a World Cup for the first time in 24 years.
Broos said the bond in the squad has become one of Bafana’s strengths.
“When you work together for five years, there is a connection,” he said.
“We have worked hard with the coaches and the players in so many moments they are as much friends as I am a coach telling them what to do.
“It is a fantastic combination.”
Bafana will now face Canada in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Pictured above: Bafana Bafana players celebrating.
Image source: @FifaWorldCup
