Bafana Bafana forward Thapelo Maseko celebrates his goal against South Korea.
Image: AFP
If there is one golden rule in international sports, it’s this: Never count South Africa out when their backs are against the wall.
TikTok content creator @MohammedAlnoamy learned this the hard way during the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stages.
The creator, who boasts over 16k followers, is currently serving a massive helping of humble pie after his premature predictions about Bafana Bafana backfired spectacularly.
Before the crucial Group A clash, @MohammedAlnoamy confidently took to TikTok to declare South Africa dead in the water, boldly predicting they would be the first nation to exit the tournament.
"So there you have it, South Africa becomes the first nation to exit the World Cup... Right now, Group A is looking like this, you might be thinking, 'Oh, South Africa has a chance'. No, no, no, they playing South Korea next, there is no chance. What I see from South Africa, they have no chance of beating South Korea.
He even threw a little extra shade at Bafana Bafana's viral goal celebrations, adding: "Seeing the way they play, I am not even shocked, but at least they got to celebrate like (Cristiano) Ronaldo."
As fate, football and pure Mzansi magic would have it, Bafana Bafana did the unthinkable. In a gritty, heart-stopping performance, South Africa pulled off a 1-0 victory over South Korea, defying the odds and booking their ticket straight into the knockout rounds.
A visibly shaken @MohammedAlnoamy returned to TikTok, looking like a man who had just seen a ghost.
"There is no way South Africa actually did it, beating South Korea. I thought they had no chance; thought South Korea was going to make easy work.
"South Korea, I was praising you. I'm going to say coming into this game, you were going to win easily, and I feel bad for South Africa.
"I can't believe what I'm seeing. 1 - 0, South Korea, you disappointed me. Finishing third in this group. Everybody predicted that you'll finish second or first. Nah, nah, we were being way too nice. South Africa, there's just no way. I can't believe it. I still can't process it. I can't process it through my brain.
"Yes, there's upsets, but this shouldn't happen, really. South Africa isn't that type of team, but somehow, today, they did it against South Korea.
"I don't want to say congratulations to South Africa, but congratulations, dude, because I didn't think you were actually going to do it. I didn't think you had this in you. I honestly couldn't even imagine it."
South Africans are famous for many things, braais, amapiano and an unmatched ability to completely roast people in the comment section. As soon as the final whistle blew, Mzansi users flocked to @MohammedAlnoamy's video to deliver the receipts.
One user reminded him of South Africa's sporting pedigree: "Don't underestimate South Africa, we are the Rugby Champions."
But it was TikToker @Shay-lee Jonathan who delivered the absolute knockout blow, explaining the real secret weapon behind Bafana Bafana's success.
"That game was 3am SA time, that’s when our mothers and grandmas are up praying, there’s no way we weren’t going to win. Respectfully all that negativity that you thought was DEMOLISHED, DESTROYED! And in our country we say Danko🇿🇦❤️."
Never bet against a nation fueled by national pride, rugby world titles, and the 3am prayers of South African grandmothers.
As Bafana Bafana marches on in the 2026 World Cup, @MohammedAlnoamy will likely think twice before doubting the green and gold again. Danko!