By Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC of the Reds of Canada, Stephen Eustaquto who plays for Los Angeles FC on Sunday night at the Los Angeles Stadium in California (his familiar ground) sent home the Boys Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the first knockout match if round of 32 games in injury time.
Captain and goalkeeper, Ron Williams of South Africa had severally saved point-blank shots from the Canadians until the 90+2 minute when one of his defenders headed the ball straight unto the right leg of Stephen who blasted the shot to the far right of Williams to send the anxious South Africans home.
Both teams were playing at the knockout stage for the first time in history. Canada ranked 30 was in their 3rd appearances while South Africa ranked 60 in their 4th appearances had prepared so much for victory begging fellow Africans to support them and bury the Xenophobic attack pains.
That both teams had met in an international friendly on 21st November 2020 won 2-0 by South Africa did not move the Canadians who played the match as if it was the tournament finale but for the African defenders who played much defensive football without getting their clearances off accurately.
The 38-year-old Ref from Portugal listed by FIFA in 2016 Pedro Pinheiro was too eagle eyed for both teams getting stern that no penalty kick award popped up but tragedy struck for the Boys of South Africa while fans were bracing up for extra time or penalty shootouts to end the match. Pingeiro officiated the group stage match between Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia.
Both teams were runners up from their groups chalking 4 points each. Canada from Group B scored 8 goals and conceded 3 drawing 1-1 with Bosnia; spanking Qatar 6-0 and lost 1-2 to Switzerland.
South Africa also came 2nd in Group A with 4 points scoring only 2 goals but conceding 3. They lost to Mexico 0-2; played 1-1 with Czech and piped Asian Tigers of South Korea by a lone goal.
So book makers had given the match to Canada as better scorers, but the South African defenders and their goalkeeper saved the Boys from possible corporal punishment on return to Jo’Bourg to meet their wives and go back to their jobs for about 90% of them play in their local league.
The account of the South African FA will be credited with $11m for playing in the R32 stage.
Three other African countries have their round of 32 matches close as Morocco tackles the Orange Boys of Netherlands on Tuesday at 2.00am; Elephants of Ivory Coast will test strength against Norway same Tuesday at 6pm while the Three Lions of England will attempt to consume the Whales of DR Congo on Wednesday 1st July at 5.00pm.
#FIFA #2026WORLDCUP #CAF
#CONCACAF #CSA #SAFA #NFF
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