There were scenes of celebration at OR Tambo International Airport as Bafana Bafana returned home to a hero’s welcome after rewriting South African football history with their first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout stage appearance.
Despite their 1-0 last-32 defeat to co-hosts Canada, the national team was greeted by hundreds of jubilant supporters celebrating a campaign that united the country.
Captain Ronwen Williams thanked South Africans for believing in the team.
“To experience the unity of the country at a moment like this is amazing. The prayers, the support and all the well wishes meant so much to us as a team,” Williams said.
Head coach Hugo Broos hailed the achievement as a turning point for South African football.
“It is historic for South African football that the team reached the second round of the World Cup. That was our goal from the beginning,” Broos said.
Broos added that the experience gained at the tournament would be invaluable as Bafana Bafana shifts its focus to the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and qualification for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
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