Bafana produced an inspiring performance in front of 40 000 spectators at the Free State Stadium to record their first triumph over a major footballing nation. They trashed a dispirited France 2-1 in their last group game and bow out of the tournament with honour.
Bongani Khumalo scored in the opening minutes after a defense mistake from the hapless French and Katlego Mphela scored South Africa`s second World Cup goal just before half time.
South Africa can take a lot out of this match although, they had the advantage of playing against 10 men for all but the first 25 minutes of the match after the controversial dismissal of Yoann Gourcuff.
South Africa became the first hosts to be eliminated in the first round, losing out on goal difference to Mexico, but they galvanised the Rainbow Nation with spirited performances against Mexico in the opening match of the World Cup. Bafana scored the first goal of the tournament in the process and now have beaten France.
South Africa can take away after Bafana's World Cup campaign. We have huge increase in supporters across all walks of life and there is an indication that South Africa indeed has the talent to move up the Fifa rankings. Lastly, we have several new stadia at which grassroots soccer development can take place to perhaps earn some silverware one day.
But we have also learned a couple of hard lessons, in that it is easy to play with the big boys, but it takes a lot of hard work to beat them. We still have a long way to go to develop world-class talent, the Springboks are not world champs for having the best senior players, but for having a huge pool of junior talent. And SAFA should perhaps have a good look at itself and quit serving themselves and start serving football.
Enough said. Well done, Bafana! You made 48-million people believe in you!
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