Bafana Bafana are gearing up for their final World Cup Group A game against South Korea on Wednesday (or early hours of Thursday South African time), where a win will take them into the round of 32 and a draw will leave them sweating on results elsewhere.
At this point, there are countless possible combinations, but things are beginning to take shape and the groundwork for the knockout stages is being laid.
Between now until the end of the pool phase, a lot could change, but it’s intriguing to see where Bafana would stand if things continue as they are.
Unless the Czech Republic can pull off an unexpected victory against already-qualified Mexico in Mexico City, a victory over the Koreans would put Bafana in second place in the pool.
In the event of a tie, Bafana would need the Czechs to lose in order to surpass them on goal differential.
You never know, but two points won’t likely be enough to place among the top third-place teams.
Switzerland would be Bafana’s round of 32 opponent if they placed second.
If they advance from that match, they would then play the winner of the Netherlands and Morocco in the round of 16.
Interestingly, right now, it seems preferable to place third in the pool since that would lead to a round of 32 matchup with Egypt. This match would be challenging, but Bafana would have a chance because they have previously defeated the Pharaohs and faced them in the most recent Africa Cup of Nations.
The victor of that tie would play either Ecuador or the co-hosts, the United States, in the round of 16.
Bafana would consider both teams to be beatable on their day, despite the former’s strong performance thus far in the competition.
The path into the knockout stages does not yet appear as difficult as it might have, but the equations are certain to change when the last pool matches are played, and Bafana have a job to do first against the Koreans.
About The Author
