Proud Tshabalala: That was OUR Bafana!

Former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs captain Siphiwe Tshabalala has delivered his assessment of Hugo Broos' side after a 1-1 draw against Czechia on Thursday at the FIFA World Cup.

Bafana rescued their FIFA World Cup campaign by showing immense character to secure a dramatic 1-1 draw against Czechia in Atlanta.

Hugo Broos' men faced an uphill battle when Michal Sadílek struck a rapid sixth-minute opener for the clinical Europeans.

Broos’ men fought back and forced an 83rd-minute penalty, which Teboho Mokoena coolly slotted home to rescue a lifeline.

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This spirited display was a night-and-day improvement from the tactical and defensive disaster witnessed in the opening 2-0 defeat against Mexico. In that painful opener, the South Africans looked completely lost, deploying a rigid, ultra-defensive system that invited relentless pressure.

Against the Czechs, the team injected urgency and forward intent, transforming a timid backline into a highly resilient and combative unit, much to the pleasure of Tshabalala, who had

"One has to commend the boys for the resilience, they came back slow intot he match [after going a goal down in the first half]," Tshabalala said.

"In the second half, that was our Bafana that we recognise, they played well. They deserved a chance, and they deserved a result. So our energy, our strength, our hope is renewed, and we commend them for the performance.

"I think when it comes to the performance, they really showed up!

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On Mokoena’s spotkick, Tshabalala added: "That is character, that is leadership. He has what it takes to lead the team. He does not need an armband to lead the team. So that is character, but everyone played with confidence, and prior to the penalty, Maseko was on the right, full of confidence, he took the player on, he took a shot and that resulted in a penalty."

"After the penalty, we did not sit back, we still kept the ball moving nicely, finding space, we looked like a team that wanted to win."

The vital point keeps South Africa’s knockout dreams alive ahead of their final Group A showdown against South Korea on Thursday, 25 June. However, Bafana will be without Mokoena and Themba Zwane.