South Africa's World Cup dream ends as coach blames lack of power and speed

South Africa's historic FIFA World Cup 2026 journey ended abruptly on Sunday in the Round of 32, as a late goal from Canada sent them packing with a 1-0 defeat. Coach Hugo Broos offered a candid assessment, stating his Bafana Bafana side simply 'lacked the pace and power' to compete at this level, a tough but honest reflection on their exit. The match, held at the Los Angeles Stadium (also known as SoFi Stadium), saw Canada's Stephen Eustáquio net the decisive goal in the 92nd minute, breaking South African hearts after a tight contest. Despite the disappointment, this tournament marked a significant milestone for South African football, as Bafana Bafana reached the Knockout Stage for the very first time in their World Cup history, a feat celebrated widely by the South African Football Association (SAFA) and fans alike. Looking ahead, Broos, the 74-year-old Belgian coach, hinted that this World Cup would likely be his final one, adding another layer of emotion to the team's exit. While the dream of advancing further is over, the team's performance has earned SAFA approximately $13.5 million USD (about R222 million) in prize money, providing a significant boost for future development. The focus now shifts to building on this historic achievement and addressing the areas of 'pace and power' Broos highlighted to ensure continued growth for South African football.