By Izuchukwu Okosi
South Africa’s hopes of reaching the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup went up in flames Sunday evening as they lost 1-0 to Co-hosts Canada in the first round of 32 games.
The clash at the SoFi Stadium in California was the second time both nations will faceoff in international football after the 2007 friendly which the Bafana Bafana won 2-0.
Canada, boosted with several players with dual nationalities including a trio of Nigerian descents – Promise David, Tani Oluwaseun and Owen Goodman pressured the South Africans relentlessly and thus became the first nation at the World Cup to statistically record over 50 turnovers.
With the game seemingly headed for an extra time and ominuosly penalty shootouts, Canada’s captain Stephen Eustaquio produced a long range effort that beat goalkeeper Rowen Williams in the 90th minute.
Canada will face either The Netherlands or Morocco in the next round of the tournament.
