South Africa keeps its World Cup hopes alive with a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic
South Africa's Teboho Mokoena celebrates after scoring a penalty, his side's first goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between Czechia and South Africa in Atlanta, Thursday, June 18, 2026.
AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser
ATLANTA (AP) — Teboho Mokoena started the game with tears in his eyes and finished it with a smile on his face after converting a second-half penalty in South Africa’s 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic at the World Cup. Thapelo Maseko’s long range shot late in the match caught the hand of Czech opponent Pavel Sulc in the area. Mokoena, who was shown on camera with tears rolling down his cheeks during the pre-game national anthem, stepped up to the penalty spot and sent his shot low past Czech Republic goalkeeper Matej Kovar in the 83rd minute. Michal Sadilek had given the Czechs the lead in the sixth minute.
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