Bafana Bafana’s remarkable journey came to a heartbreaking end after a spirited defensive display was undone by a dramatic stoppage-time strike from Stephen Eustaquio, handing Canada a 1-0 victory and a place in the Round of 16.
South Africa produced some eye-catching moves in the first half at Los Angeles Stadium, but were let down by their final ball.
The Reds were denied twice in succession on the cusp of the half-time whistle; Aubrey Modiba hooked Moise Bombito’s header off the line before Ronwen Williams did brilliantly to block Tajon Buchanan.
However, it was Eustaquio, who settled the contest, catching a bouncing ball perfectly on the edge of the box to find the bottom corner.
South Africa deserved better
“I feel South Africa deserved better, because of the very unfortunate goal they conceded,” Eymael, who has coached several clubs in South Africa before including his last stint with Chippa United, told Flashscore.
“South Africa were very well organised, they were good on the ball, and the only problem they had is a bigger problem that we always have in South Africa, the lack of a top goal scorer.”
Eymael continued: “Fortunately, all the South African players deserve to play in Europe. I have coached some of them, I coached almost all of them. They can play anywhere in Europe without a problem.
“But they were unlucky against Canada, they showed up in the first half, they played a good game. But the way the conceded was not good enough in the final, and I know the coach wouldn’t allowed such things.”
South Africa will go home with their heads held high, having reached the knockout phase for the first time ever.
Eymael added: “What is important in life is not how much you eat, but how much you get it before, and how much you can get back and stand up to fight again.”
Broos has done fantastic job
Asked whether coach Hugo Broos has done a superb job since he joined Bafana Bafana in 2021 on a five-year deal, and whether he should be retained, Eymael said: “I know Broos said World Cup would be his last game with South Africa, but he has done a fantastic job with the team.
“He took South Africa to the AFCON two times, the World Cup he took them to the Group Stage, and AFCON finished number three, so I think he has done a good job, and done better than any South African coach before him.
“At the end of the day, it is what you achieve with a team, he has done enough with the team, and at the end of the day that is what matters. For me he has achieved a lot of things with South Africa.”
On whether South Africa deserved to qualify for the Round of 32, the Belgian coach responded: “They were playing games with 90% of local players, not the case of Morocco, not of Algeria, not the case of Egypt.
“You cannot compare with Morocco, who have 90% of players in Europe, and Algeria the same. South Africa had 90% of local players and they deserved to get their spot.”
Following South Africa’s exit from the 2026 World Cup in the Round of 32, Broos initially announced his intention to retire from coaching, though there have been discussions he may reconsider to oversee upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
South Africa have been drawn into Group D for the 2027 qualifiers alongside Guinea, Kenya, and Eritrea.
Because Kenya is one of the co-hosts for the 2027 tournament, they have already automatically qualified. As a result, only one additional team from Group D will advance to the final AFCON tournament.
