The calculation is brutally simple for South Africa. After a failed start against Mexico (0-2) in the heart of the Estadio Azteca cauldron, followed by a draw tinged with regrets against the Czech Republic (1-1) in Atlanta, the Bafana Bafana have no more lifelines. Fourth in Group A, they are faced with an uncompromising verdict: a draw on Thursday would condemn them to elimination. With only 2 points in the event of a tie, the mathematical hope of ranking among the best third-placed teams would be definitively extinguished.
To keep the American dream alive, it’s imperative to defeat South Korea, a solid 2nd with 3 points. A win would propel the South Africans to second place in the group (if the Czech Republic don’t beat Mexico), meaning historic qualification for the knockout stages of a World Cup held outside their borders.
A decimated midfield
To orchestrate this mission, Hugo Broos will have to do without his best soldiers. This is the main downside of this clash: metronome Themba Zwane and tireless Teboho Mokoena (the only South African scorer in the tournament, with his penalty against the Czechs) are both suspended. A real tactical headache.
Hugo Broos must rethink his entire midfield to face the physical challenge and intensity that awaits him in Mexico. The depth of the South African bench, often praised by the Belgian coach, will be tested in its most crucial aspect.
Up against Hong Myung-bo’s “Duracell batteries”
The opponent, for its part, advances with the certainty that a single point will be enough to punch their ticket. But South Korean coach Hong Myung-bo has been very clear: “It’s the last match, we have to win to move on to the next round.” Driven by the creativity of PSG star Lee Kang-in, South Korea is a pressing machine, feared for the intensity of its play.
Hugo Broos has not hidden his admiration, tinged with concern, for the endurance of the Taeguk Warriors: “Against Korea, we will have to deal with their organizational discipline and huge running intensity. Their players run for 90 minutes as if they have Duracell batteries.”
The tactical battle is already underway. On the Korean side, defender Lee Han-beom laid out the anti-Bafana plan: immediately suffocate goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams, the real launchpad and deep-lying playmaker for South Africa, to prevent him from setting up his possession play and force him to go long.
For history and for the people
Despite adversity, captain Ronwen Williams refuses to go in as a sacrificial victim: “The match against Korea will be tough, really tough. The individual quality of their players is incredible. But this is a unique opportunity for us to compete, and I am convinced the guys will be ready.”
Thousands of kilometers from Monterrey, an entire nation will be watching in the middle of the night. A passion that fuels Hugo Broos and his men.
“We know we have immense support from all South Africans who, at three in the morning, will turn on their TVs. I truly hope we can give them a win and make them happy,” the Belgian coach confided.
This Thursday, there will be no more room for calculations or excuses. Faced with the Asian wall, South Africa must achieve one of the greatest feats in its modern history. Or risk seeing its World Cup adventure end brutally at the very first hurdle.