ATLANTA, United States — A late penalty from midfielder Teboho Mokoena saved South Africa from the brink of elimination as Bafana Bafana fought back to earn a 1-1 draw against Czechia in their second FIFA World Cup Group A match.
The high-stakes encounter, played on Thursday evening, June 18, 2026, at the Atlanta Stadium, keeps the tournament knockout hopes alive for both nations after opening-round defeats.
Okay News sports reports that Czechia took an early lead in the sixth minute when Michal Sadílek swept a clinical, left-footed strike past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams following a precise setup from Alexandr Sojka. Hugo Broos’ side struggled to establish offensive fluidity in the first half despite dangerous overlapping runs from right-back Khuliso Mudau and a deflected effort from Oswin Appollis that flew just wide of the post.
Bafana Bafana gradually reasserted themselves in the second period, introducing Relebohile Mofokeng to spark creativity against a passive Czech defense. The crucial breakthrough arrived in the 81st minute when a long-range shot from Thapelo Maseko struck the arm of substitute Pavel Šulc in the box, prompting the referee to point to the penalty spot. Teboho Mokoena stepped up in the 83rd minute and confidently fired the spot-kick into the bottom corner to level the score. Both teams will conclude their Group A campaigns next Thursday, June 25, with South Africa clashing against South Korea in Guadalupe while Czechia battles co-hosts Mexico.
