Teboho Mokoena

Teboho Mokoena rescued a vital point for South Africa with an 83rd-minute penalty in the 1-1 draw against Czechia in Atlanta on 18 June 2026, keeping Bafana Bafana's World Cup alive . Mokoena sent goalkeeper Matej Kovár the wrong way after Czechia conceded a handball in the box. The point Left both South Africa and Czechia on one point in Group A, with Mexico out of reach on six.

Mokoena, 29, is a central midfielder who plays for Mamelodi Sundowns in the South African Premier Soccer League, having joined from SuperSport United in 2022. He has represented South Africa at international level since 2017 and brings experience from domestic championship campaigns with both clubs.

His goal ended a 16-year wait since South Africa last scored at a World Cup: the country had not found the net at the tournament since their home edition in 2010. It was a moment of significance for South African football, and keeps alive the possibility of a knockout-stage appearance from Group A heading into the final round of fixtures.