Bafana Bafana on the board with 1-1 draw against Czech Republic
South Africa kept their World Cup hopes alive with a battling 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic in their Group A clash in Atlanta on Thursday.
Bafana Bafana looked to be heading for a second successive defeat at the global finals after Michal Sadilek gave the Czechs an early lead, but Teboho Mokoena converted a late penalty to earn Hugo Broos’ side their first point of the tournament.
The result leaves South Africa still with work to do in their final pool fixture against South Korea, but they will take heart from a much-improved second-half display after a sluggish start.
Broos had abandoned the back five used in the 2-0 loss to Mexico and restored a more positive shape, but Bafana were caught cold inside six minutes when the Czechs worked the ball neatly through midfield and Sadilek finished past Ronwen Williams.
Czechia were the sharper side in the opening exchanges and had chances to add to their lead, with Adam Hlozek and Patrik Schick a constant threat. South Africa struggled to find rhythm in the first half and too often gave the ball away cheaply in promising areas.
But they improved after the break, with Mokoena driving the team forward from midfield and Bafana beginning to stretch the Czech defence. Oswin Appollis and Thapelo Maseko offered more width, while Iqraam Rayners worked tirelessly up front.
The decisive moment came seven minutes from time when Pavel Sulc was adjudged to have handled in the box. Mokoena stepped up and showed composure to beat Matej Kovar from the spot.
He will, however, miss the clash with the Koreans after a second yellow card in the tournament means a one-game suspension.
South Africa pushed for a winner in the closing stages but could not find the final pass, while the Czechs also threatened on the break.
It was not the victory Bafana wanted, but it was a point that keeps their campaign alive.
