\n
ENGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) \u2014 This world cup<\/span> It is already a landmark for South Africa, who have never advanced from group play in their previous three trips to the sport’s biggest stage.<\/p>\nIf only Hugo Bruce’s team could make further progress when playing against each other. co-host canada<\/span> With Sunday’s first knockout of the tournament, the Belgian coach is ready to call it even bigger.<\/p>\n“I would say if we can succeed again and get to the (next) round, it should be a miracle for Bafana Bafana,” Bruce said on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Bruce took over the team five years ago, believing that Africa’s sixth-most populous country and largest GDP needed one of the continent’s best teams of all time. Bafana Bafana, as the team is known to fans, have only won two World Cup matches in their checkered international history, but the Blues have built a talented and versatile roster comprised primarily of players from South Africa’s domestic league and are finally looking to live up to the country’s potential.<\/p>\n
South Africa still had to open this World Cup in perhaps the most difficult way possible – They will play against a strong team from co-host Mexico.<\/span> It is located high above the formidable Aztec Stadium.<\/p>\nHowever, the Blues players bounced back from the 2-0 defeat in a spectacular manner. They drew 1-1 with the Czech Republic and then advanced. Stunning 1-0 victory over favored South Korea<\/span> Last Wednesday.<\/p>\n\u201cI think we can already say the World Cup was a success for us,\u201d Bruce said Saturday before the team toured the field at SoFi Stadium. “Everyone expected and hoped we would get to the second round and we are, but that doesn’t mean we’re complacent. Once you get there, you want to go further.”<\/p>\n
They needed to bounce back quickly from that game, traveling from their game in the Monterrey area to their practice base in Pachuca on Thursday before flying back to Los Angeles on Friday.<\/p>\n
But Bafana Bafana are on an emotional high after achieving unprecedented success. Defender Ime Okon said his players were eagerly watching the video of the celebrations that erupted around the country near dawn when the team qualified for the knockout stages.<\/p>\n
“This is a historic moment for our country,” said Okon, who plays professionally in Germany. “We’re really happy and excited. If we can continue, we will. … We have a special group. We just want to see how far we can go.”<\/p>\n
South Africa’s core of young talent appears to be blossoming under Bruce, but the 74-year-old bench boss has said he is almost certain to end his coaching career after this World Cup, although he could remain with the association in a new role. He remains focused on extending this incredible run, capping off 55 years as a professional soccer player.<\/p>\n
Canada has also never won a World Cup final, so history will be made no matter which team qualifies for the Round of 16 and leaves California.<\/p>\n
“We have a great chance to win that game,” Bruce said. “Just because we’re in the second round now doesn’t mean we can play and go home (on Sunday). This is not the mentality of the team and certainly not the atmosphere. Everyone wants to win again. It’s already historic, but can you imagine what it will be like for Bafana Bafana if we advance to the (next) round?”<\/p>\n
Both Okon and Bruce said the South African team was proud to be part of the amazing joint success of both continents at this World Cup. Seven of the 10 participating African teams had already qualified for the knockout stages by Saturday afternoon, and their participation is even more likely.<\/p>\n
“Probably before, when African teams went to the World Cup, they didn’t have a lot of confidence in themselves because they played against big countries,” Brus said. “I think things have changed a little bit over the past year. There’s a growing belief that Africa has a good team and can play a role in the World Cup. It’s a little too early to think that an African team will be world champions tomorrow. But it could happen.”<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
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