Czech Republic 1-1 South Africa: Mokoena’s penalty revives Bafana’s World Cup hopes

Bafana Bafana rescued a point from the jaws of defeat when Teboho Mokoena scored a late penalty to revive their World Cup hopes after a 1-1 with the Czech Republic in Atlanta on Thursday.

Czechia 1-1 South Africa: What just happened?

South Africa were down after just six minutes when poor defending allowed Czechia to score against the run of play.

However, with Bafana Bafana staring at a second straight defeat, they were awarded a late penalty which was scored by Mokoena seven minutes from time.

The big talking point: Czechia score early, Bafana leave it late

Coach Hugo Broos had abandoned his much-maligned back five and went back to a four-man defence but it still did not yield the desired results in the first half.

The midfield trio of Mokoena, Jayden Adams and Thalente Mbatha struggled to create chances while South Africa looked stretched whenever full-backs Khuliso Mudau and Aubrey Modiba pushed forward.

From a quick throw, Czechia made a quick move forward before the ball was crossed into the box. With Bafana Bafana poorly organised in defence, it fell to Alexandr Sojka who passed to Michal Sadilek and the Slavia Prague forward found himself some space to slot into the bottom right corner in the sixth minute.

Bafana Bafana were exposed early in Atlanta ⚽💥@TheBold27 breaks down the goal 👇

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— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) June 18, 2026

Both sides then huffed and puffed but Mokoena would get a shot on the edge of the box from a loose ball which he blazed over just before he was booked for a rush challenge, seeing him receive his second yellow card, which rules him out of the match against South Korea next Thursday.

On the stroke of halftime, Bafana Bafana had a chance to equalise through Thapelo Maseko.

Modiba made a good run forward and brought in a delightful cross that Czechia goalkeeper Matej Kovar spilled. The ball fell in the path of Maseko but the winger, handed a rare start, failed to get a shot on target on the half-turn.

With no shot on target in the first half, Broos took off Adams for Relebohile Mofokeng in a bid to get some spark and the Orlando Pirates star lifted their performance with his incisive passing as South Africa bossed proceedings in the second half.

But with still no goal after 65 minutes, Broos opted for a more direct approach, bringing on Evidence Makgopa for Iqraam Rayners and South Africa were more threatening.  

They would get their reward very late when Maseko attempted from outside the box and saw his effort strike Pavel Sulc’s arm, leading to a penalty. Mokoena stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way for 1-1.

𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐕𝐄𝐈𝐍𝐒 🧊❄️

Teboho Mokoena finds the equaliser from the spot 😤🇿🇦

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— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) June 18, 2026

Broos’ men held on to secure their first point at the World Cup which boosts their chances of reaching the Round of 32 if they can beat South Korea next week.

The bigger picture: Mokoena suspended for must-win clash

Bafana Bafana have one point in Group A, same as Czechia, while Mexico and South Korea each have three.  

Broos’ team must now beat South Korea on Thursday, June 25 if they want to avoid group stage elimination. However, they will have to do it without their now suspended midfield linchpin Mokoena.