🇿🇦 Bafana Bafana captain opens up on what fueled shock progression | OneFootball

South Africa have done what many thought unthinkable this summer, after Hugo Broos' side shocked Son Heung-Min's Korea Republic with a 1-0 win, sealing guaranteed progression to the knockout stage for the first time.

For a nation that is perhaps best remembered on the international stage as World Cup hosts in 2010, the introduction of the Vuvuzela, and Siphiwe Tshabalala's magical opener against Mexico, few expected them to emerge from Group A.

Despite an opening loss to El Tri, a spirited 1-1 draw against Czechia set South Africa up for a final-day clash with Taegeuk Warriors, and a night to remember thanks to a lone strike in the 63rd minute by 22-year-old Thapelo Maseko to seal all three points and a Round of 32 birth.

Now set for a showdown with Canada on Sunday, Bafana Bafana shot-stopper Ronwen Williams opened up on the criticism that fueled him and his fellow countrymen to a historic result.

"Lost for words. Proud, is an understatement," the 34-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper exclaimed in his post-match interview with FOX Soccer.

"The amount of pressure that this team is under, not only on the field but off the field. And for the players to show up today, when our backs were against the wall, and when I saw the publications posting potential teams to go out of the group, and we had no percentage, you know, that fueled something inside of us...that everyone was against us."

"We will use that as motivation," he continued, "as energy...to fight. And, I mean, the fight that the guys showed today? Amazing."

Williams and his compatriots will face a stern test against a Canada side that emerged from Group B ahead of Bosnia & Herzegovina, while giving Switzerland a difficult game on the final day, all without the services of star man Alphonso Davies.

Does South Africa have more to say this summer? Check back in on Sunday!

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