South Africa's Bafana Bafana Wins First World Cup Match

On Thursday, South Africa's national football team, Bafana Bafana, became the sixth African country to win a match in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament by defeating South Korea 1-0 in their final group clash held at the Mexico City stadium. The victory was secured by a second-half goal from Thapelo Maseko, which ensured that South Africa finished in second place in their group with four points, allowing them to progress to the round of 32.

In previous matches, South Africa lost 2-0 against Mexico in the World Cup opener and drew 1-1 with Czechia in their second match. This win adds to the record of African countries that have achieved at least one victory in World Cup history, joining Egypt, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Morocco.

Ivory Coast was the first African country to win a World Cup match, defeating Ecuador 1-0, followed by Ghana's win over Panama, Morocco's victory against Scotland, Egypt's win over New Zealand, and Algeria's triumph against Jordan.