Sports
Mokoena Rescues South Africa with Late Penalty in World Cup Draw Against Czechia
South Africa kept their FIFA World Cup hopes alive after Teboho Mokoena converted a late penalty to earn a 1-1 draw against Czechia in Atlanta on Thursday.
The midfielder produced a moment of composure under pressure in the 83rd minute, sending his spot-kick low beyond goalkeeper Matej Kovár after a long-range effort from Thapelo Maseko struck the hand of Czech midfielder Pavel Sulc inside the penalty area.
It was an emotional evening for Mokoena, who was visibly moved during the national anthem before kick-off, with television cameras capturing tears rolling down his face.
After the match, the South African star revealed he had been thinking about 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 made the perfect start to the contest, taking the lead in the sixth minute through Michal Sadílek. Alexandr Sojka provided the assist, slipping a pass into Sadílek's path before the midfielder calmly finished past South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Both teams entered the match seeking their first points of the tournament after opening-round defeats. Another loss would have left their hopes of reaching the Round of 32 hanging by a thread.
South Africa had come under heavy scrutiny following their 2-0 defeat to co-hosts Mexico, a result that raised fears of another early exit for a nation still searching for its first appearance in the World Cup knockout stages.
Despite the pressure, Bafana Bafana showed resilience to battle back and claim a crucial point.
“If we go on like that and if we can make another performance like today, I think we have a chance to go into the second round,” South Africa coach Hugo Broos said.
South Africa now face South Korea in their next Group A fixture on Wednesday but will be without Mokoena, who is suspended after receiving his second yellow card of the tournament.
Czechia, meanwhile, must likely defeat Mexico in their final group match after following up their opening 2-1 loss to South Korea with another disappointing result.
