FILE. Former Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham believes Bafana Bafana can still qualify for the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 with a crucial match against South Korea, where a draw or win could secure their progression. Picture: GLYN KIRK / AFP
Image: GLYN KIRK / AFP
With everything on the line in their crucial FIFA World Cup Group A match against South Korea on Thursday, former Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham believes Bafana Bafana can still get the job done.
That job, of course, is qualifying for the Round of 32 in the expanded 48-team tournament.
While the draw against Czechia was less than ideal, all is not lost.
Bafana remain bottom of Group A with a goal difference of minus two. They are level on points with Czechia, who have a superior goal difference of minus one. South Korea sit second on three points, while Mexico top the group on six points.
All that remains for Bafana is a final group-stage clash against South Korea.
At the very least, Bafana need a draw. That would move them onto two points and above Czechia if the Europeans lose to Mexico.
In that scenario, Bafana would still have a realistic chance of progressing as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
A victory over South Korea would be the ideal outcome. It would take Bafana to four points and, assuming Czechia lose to Mexico, secure qualification for the next round.
More importantly, a win would almost certainly see Bafana finish second in the group, avoiding the nervous wait that comes with relying on a best third-placed finish.
“South Africa have got a chance. Of course they’ve got a chance. That’s why FIFA have set up the groups like this. They’ve made it so that people can lose their first game and still have a chance of going through,” Sheringham told ComeOn.
“It’s all about getting through the group stage. No big team should miss out on the knockout stages now. After that, it’s about who you’re playing against and taking your chances. The real World Cup hasn’t even started yet, not for the top 10 or 12 nations.
“You just have to get yourself through to the next stage and see who you’re up against. Then you’re in the World Cup proper.”