𝗧𝗟𝗕'𝘀 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 🔥
▪️ 103 touches
▪️ 91% accurate passes
▪️ 9 defensive contributions
▪️ 6/8 ground duels won
▪️ 5 clearances
▪️ 3 recoveries
▪️ 2/3 tackles won
▪️ 1 interception
Mbekezeli Mbokazi showed himself to the world at this World Cup.
@ToyotaSA | #BafanaKaofela
Ronwen Williams.
I don't think there's a better ball-playing goalkeeper at this World Cup.
That's the main reason Canada are reluctant to step out and press him. They know he'll find the pass to break their press, turning their pressure into South Africa's advantage.
He's the goalkeeper with the most progressive passes at this World Cup by a considerable margin.
He also ranks in the top 10 among all players for progressive passes.
He's one of the main reasons I'm convinced South Africa can build from the back and stay true to their footballing identity.
His passing technique and composure on the ball are outstanding.
Mario Balotelli on South Africa's elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
🗣️ “This is the cruelest part of football. One whistle blows, and suddenly millions of dreams disappear. My heart breaks for South Africa because I know exactly how painful nights like this can be.”
“They didn't come to this World Cup just to make up the numbers. They fought with courage, played without fear and made the world respect them. That's something no final result can ever take away.”
“The players will blame themselves tonight. They'll replay every missed chance, every tackle and every decision in their heads, wondering if one different moment could have changed everything. That's the burden football leaves on your shoulders.”
“I've experienced football at its highest highs and lowest lows, and I can tell you this pain never disappears overnight. But sometimes the defeats that hurt the most become the reason you come back stronger than anyone expected.”
“To the supporters of South Africa, don't turn your backs on these players because of one result. They carried your flag with pride, fought for every ball and gave everything they had until the very last minute.”
“The scoreboard says South Africa are out, but that's not the full story. The real story is that they showed the world African football belongs on the biggest stage, and nobody will overlook them again.”
“Cry tonight if you have to. Football gives you that right. But when the pain fades, remember this team gave your country belief, pride and hope. Sometimes that is worth far more than people realise.”
“One day South Africa will look back on this heartbreak as the moment that built a stronger generation. Great football stories are rarely written without tears first.”
I genuinely don't have time to engage in negativity. I know where this national team comes from.
I am proud of what we did despite all the administrative problems we were faced with going into the tournament.
I know Hugo Broos is done. I personally thank him for bringing back standards and dignity to our national team.
Anything else is none of my business. I just hope SAFA will have their house in order because we have a good generation of footballers.
No DNA, just RSA 🇿🇦❤️
#BafanaPride
#BafanaKaofela
#FIFAWorldCup
The journey ends, but the pride remains. 🇿🇦
Thank you, South Africa, for backing Bafana Bafana throughout the tournament.
Your voices, your passion and your unwavering support carried the team every historic step of the way.
All of Us. All in. Kaofela! ⚽️
#SABCSportFootball #AllOfUsAllInKaofela #ReBafanaKaofela #FIFAWorldCup
Every Amakhosi supporter has a story.
The taxi driver debating the XI. The teacher in the jersey under her blazer. The nurse streaming between rounds. The MD with the Khosi scarf in the boardroom drawer.
From the shop floor to the corner office, you are this club.
Happy Workers' Day, Khosi Nation. 💛🖤
#Amakhosi4Life #WorkersDay
“AFCON SMEAR CAMPAIGN”
(Same Game, Different Judgement)
A comment by Darren Lewis, a respected British sports journalist, deserves real credit. Paraphrasing his point:
We need to stop pushing the lazy narrative that what happened at the AFCON final is somehow a stain on all of African football.
When England fans vandalised Wembley after Euro 2020, it wasn’t framed as a failure of European football.
When Calciopoli exposed deep corruption in Italy and Juventus were relegated, it wasn’t used to discredit European club football as a whole.
When Steve Bruce led Sheffield United off the pitch during an FA Cup tie against Arsenal at Highbury, no one claimed it represented English football.
Yet, similar incidents at AFCON are quickly weaponised to question the legitimacy, organisation, and credibility of African football as a whole.
That double standard is the real issue, not the tournament.
Same game. Same problems. Different judgement.
AFCON isn’t the problem, the bias is.