Read 4 minutesChandigarhUpdated: June 25, 2026 09:41 PM IST
After being derided in some quarters as arguably the worst team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after one-and-a-half games, South Africa overturned the odds by sealing their way to the knockout stages, a feat they had not achieved in their previous three appearances, even when they hosted the tournament in 2010.
And they did it without the hassle and suspense of a virtual competition between third-place finishers in 12 groups, progressing right as second-place finishers in Group A behind co-hosts Mexico.
Thapelo Maseko, the 22-year-old son of a truck driver, was the hero in the 1-0 win over South Korea. He grew up in Eatonside in Sebokeng, South Africa and dad still remembers the tough journey to World Cup glory.
“As a producer, I sacrificed a lot for his career. I was actually working alone. You had to get soccer boots and you had to arrange their meals when they go to games. Basically it was tough. I’m still actually working,” Motsamai Maseko told Radio2000 earlier this month. “After Afcon (African Cup of Nations), he bought a house for the family in Kempton Park where I live with his mother and brothers.”
When Thapelo’s name was announced in the World Cup squad, the response was not typical.
“We were so excited. When his name was called, his mom screamed so much we almost called an ambulance for her (laughs),” he said.
Thapelo Maseko (12) of South Africa celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the World Cup Group A soccer match between South Africa and South Korea in Guadalupe, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, near Monterrey, Mexico. (AP Photo)
Thapelo’s mother vividly remembers the occasion when her son’s name was announced on television by head coach Hugo Bruce.
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“I couldn’t believe it when they called his name on TV. I cried a lot and before the announcement, my stomach was rumbling. And they were laughing at me. My kids said they were going to call an ambulance (laughs). When they announced Maseko, I wanted to know if someone had called. But then I found out they announced Thapelo’s name.” And I prayed on the 26th in the interview.
Football in jeans
Both parents played football in their youth and Motsamai was a defender. The eldest of three siblings, Thapelo entered SuperSport United FC’s youth academy, making his debut for the club in 2021 and South Africa the following year. At the AFCON in 2024, FIFA named him as one of the African players to watch in the future.
In 2023 there was interest from Belgian club KVC Westerlo but the youngster was signed by 13-time South African Premiership winners Mamelodi Sundowns.
What followed was one of the toughest phases of Maseko’s young career as he would only play 13 games for the club the following season and the team even dropped him to the reserve side.
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“The fire inside me is fading. I don’t even know when it started… I’m still training like my life depends on it, still pushing every tired muscle, every mental battle, but inside it feels empty. The sport that once lit up my soul now feels different, heavy, cold. It’s a strange kind of pain, the kind you’ve never seen before,” he posted on Instagram.
The striker was eventually loaned to AEL Limassol in Cyprus, making 12 appearances and scoring one goal. Maseko’s family has stood by him during difficult times.
“I have a very supportive family and I even went to a couple of therapy sessions here and there, and that helped me a lot. The lows are painful and the highs are amazing and unbelievable,” Maseko told South African media.