South Africans unite behind Bafana ahead of historic Canada showdown
South Africa is rallying behind Bafana Bafana as they take on Canada in the country's first-ever World Cup knockout match.
The national football team made history after beating South Korea 1-0 last Thursday to qualify for the round of 32.
A victory against Canada would see South Africa advance to the last 16 for the first time, marking the greatest achievement in the history for the national football team.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged the nation to unite behind the team, saying Bafana Bafana has already made South Africa proud.
"Tomorrow (Sunday) night at 9pm South African time, Bafana Bafana will put our whole country and our entire nation on the global map once again. This time they are doing it as one of the top 32 football teams in the world, playing against Canada.
"Our boys are going to make every South African proud they will dazzle the Canadians, they will defeat them and they will move to the knockout stage."
In a light-hearted moment, Ramaphosa revealed he would be speaking to Canada's Prime Minister before the match.
"I don't know what he wants to say to me, but all I want to say is that we are going to win. I know this because our boys are playing extremely well."
Meanwhile, the government has also called on South Africans to stand united behind the national team.
"This is a proud and historic moment for South Africa; for the first time, Bafana Bafana has reached the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup, writing a new chapter in the country's football history and making the Southern African region immensely proud," said spokesperson William Baloyi.
It has also encouraged South Africana to wear Bafana Bafana jerseys, national colours or any symbols of support on Sunday.
"Bafana Bafana has already made history. Now, let us rally behind them as they continue to make South Africa proud."
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