By Rorisang Modiba
- Anele Mdoda posted on X calling for Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe after Bafana Bafana beat South Korea 1-0 to make World Cup history on Wednesday night.
- Cassper Nyovest posted a video aimed directly at everyone who doubted Bafana Bafana, while Trevor Noah, Thuso Mbedu and Nandi Madida led the national outpouring online.
Anele Mdoda did not waste time being gracious. Minutes after Bafana Bafana beat South Korea 1-0 in Monterrey to reach the FIFA World Cup Round of 32, the media personality was already on X looking ahead.
“Lethani uMessi!!! No Mbappe!!! Sibafuna one by one!!!!” she posted. Bring Messi. Bring Mbappe. One by one.
It was the first time in South African football history that Bafana Bafana had made it to the knockout stages of a World Cup. The country felt it.
Cassper Nyovest posted a video aimed squarely at the doubters. He had a message for everyone who said it could not be done, and he was not quiet about it.
Comedian Trevor Noah was more measured but no less proud. “We made history!!!!!!” he posted. Actress Thuso Mbedu kept it simple: “What a time to be South African.”
Nandi Madida woke up Thursday morning and put it plainly. “Good morning. I woke up South African and that’s a fact,” she wrote.
Bafana came into the tournament written off. Analysts gave them a 7% chance of getting out of the group. They opened with a defeat to co-hosts Mexico and the memes were immediate. None of that is relevant now.
Thapelo Maseko scored the only goal in the 63rd minute, with Tshepang Moremi providing the assist. Coach Hugo Broos guided the team to second place in Group A.
Bafana Bafana face World Cup co-hosts Canada in the Round of 32 on 28 June.
Pictured above: Bontle Modiselle and Cassper Nyovest celebrating Bafana Bafana’s historic World Cup result.
Image source: Instagram
