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Teboho Mokoena: Teboho Mokoena delivered one of the tournament's most emotional moments Thursday, converting an 83rd-minute penalty to earn South Africa a 1-1 draw against Czechia in a FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A clash at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The South African midfielder was visibly overcome with emotion during the pre-match national anthem, with cameras capturing tears streaming down his face.
He later revealed the moment was driven by thoughts of his late grandfather.
"I know, wherever he is, he would be proud of me," Mokoena said. "I just felt his presence in that moment.
I thought if he was here, he would be proud of me because I know he believed in me when nobody believed in me."
Czechia had taken the lead in the sixth minute through Michal Sadílek, who clipped a finish past South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams after being set up by Alexandr Sojka following a throw-in that unsettled the Bafana Bafana defense.
South Africa were awarded the penalty with nine minutes remaining after Czech substitute Pavel Šulc handled the ball inside the area, struck at close range from a shot by Thapelo Maseko.
A VAR review confirmed the call. Mokoena stepped up and sent a low shot to the left, catching Czechia goalkeeper Matej Kovár going the wrong way.
Both sides entered the match having dropped their opening fixtures, making a positive result critical for their knockout-stage ambitions.
South Africa were coming off a 2-0 defeat to co-host Mexico — a loss that drew sharp criticism and raised questions about whether Bafana Bafana could avoid yet another group-stage exit, including their 2010 World Cup on home soil.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos expressed cautious optimism following the result.
"If we go on like that and if we can make another performance like today, I think we have a chance to go in the second round," he said.
The point keeps both teams' hopes alive ahead of the final round of group play.
South Africa will next face South Korea in Group A, but will be without Mokoena, who picked up a yellow card Thursday — his second of the tournament — triggering an automatic suspension.
Czechia, who fell 2-1 to South Korea in their opener, will likely need a win against Mexico in their final group match to advance to the round of 32.
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