World Cup: Thapelo Maseko ready to lead Bafana Bafana attack in must-win South Korea decider

Thapelo Maseko’s Fifa World Cup 2026 journey has already taken a decisive turn — and it has happened in the space of just one match.

Thrown into the tournament spotlight, the winger stepped off the bench and made an immediate impact in Bafana Bafana’s 1-1 draw against Czech Republic, playing a key role in the late action that kept South Africa’s qualification hopes alive.

“I’m just grateful for the opportunity and the support I’ve also been receiving from back home,” Maseko said. “It was a very emotional one for me and it took me a while to adjust but we got an important point.”

It was not just the performance that stood out, but the timing of it.

With Bafana chasing the game late on, Maseko’s energy and directness added a new dimension to their attack, helping force the moment that eventually led to the equaliser. 

The 21-year-old was introduced as part of Hugo Broos’ more attacking reshuffle, operating in a wide role alongside Oswin Appollis, a pairing that immediately stretched Czech Republic’s defensive structure. That combination gave Bafana greater width and more willingness to attack one-on-one situations, something that had been missing in their earlier stages of the tournament.

Looking ahead to the decisive Group A clash against South Korea, Maseko believes that partnership could once again play a role if called upon.

“Yes, I think it could definitely work (partnership with Oswin Appollis on the opposite wing) but we also have a good coach and a good technical team,” he said. “They know what we need against South Korea and we just need to implement it.”

For Maseko, the experience has also been about adapting to the demands of football’s biggest stage, where every touch carries pressure and every decision is magnified. His ability to settle into the match after early nerves was evident as the game progressed, with his involvement increasing in dangerous areas as Bafana pushed for a response.

Thapelo Maseko continues to prove why he is one of South Africa’s most versatile and impactful players🇿🇦🔥 pic.twitter.com/S55yYzylTg

— Siya_dlamini (@Siya_homiey) June 20, 2026

The draw against Czech Republic also carried wider significance for the squad. 

After defeat to Mexico in their opening match, South Africa were under pressure heading into the second fixture, with another loss likely to end their campaign early. Instead, the late equaliser ensured they head into the final group game still with something to play for.

For Maseko, that is the most important takeaway.

“It’s a big confidence booster for us to know that we still have our fate in our hands,” he said.

It is a simple statement, but one that reflects the mood shift inside the Bafana camp — from survival mode to belief. And as South Korea await in a decisive final test, that belief may prove just as important as tactics or selection. South Africa now know one result can rewrite their entire group story.

There is also growing expectation around whether Maseko has now done enough to force his way into the starting line-up for the South Korea encounter.

His direct running immediately changed the tempo of Bafana’s attack against Czech Republic, while his willingness to drive into space created problems that South Africa had struggled to produce earlier in the tournament. With Bafana expected to attack more aggressively in a must-win fixture, players capable of unsettling defenders in one-versus-one situations may become increasingly important.

Similarly to how he ran his socks off in Atlanta, Maseko is expected to be charge with leading a Bafana attack that still has a similar in Tshepang Moremi waiting to be unleashed for energy as well. 

Broos now faces an important balance between tactical control and attacking bravery. But if Maseko’s debut showed anything, it is that Bafana may have discovered another attacking weapon exactly when they needed one most.