Co-hosts eliminate South Africa from World Cup

by TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – SOUTH Africa has crashed out of the World Cup following a narrow defeat to co-hosts Canada at the Los Angeles Stadium on Sunday evening.

Stephen Eustaquio was the hero for Canada with a right-footed shot from outside the box to beat a diving Ronwen Williams at the death in this Last-32 encounter.

Coach Hugo Broos made a single change to the South African side that beat South Korea by restoring Teboho Mokoena, back from suspension, to the starting line-up in place of Thalente Mbatha, in a 4-2-3-1 setup.

It was a nervy affair from the start, with both nations making historic first-ever appearances in a World Cup knockout round.

Their only previous senior men’s international meeting took place in 2007 in a friendly match, which South Africa won 2-0.

Canada thus gained their revenge on the biggest stage.

In the sixth minute, the first shot on target fell to Mokoena, whose effort produced a diving, uncomfortable save from Maxime Crépeau.

Canada’s first chance fell to Jonathan David, but he shot wide after a corner kick found him unmarked in the box.

Aubrey Modiba cleared off the line in the 44th minute with Williams beaten.

While South Africa dominated possession in the first half, Canada created more chances, with four shots on target to Bafana’s one.

In the 65th minute, Mbekezeli Mbokazi showed why he is highly rated with an incredible clearance off the line to deny Canada the opener. Williams had initially produced a superb point-blank save from Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi.

South Africa were skating on thin ice. In the 76th minute, Promise David’s right-footed shot from outside the box went narrowly wide.

They also had their chance to break the deadlock, but Crépeau denied Oswin Apollis after a well-struck effort from outside the box.

Eustaquio made them pay at the other end in stoppage time with a well-taken finish.

– CAJ News