South Africa eye more World Cup magic as wife says Broos can stay

South Africa's journey in the World Cup has already been deemed a success after they advanced to the knockout stage for the first time in their history. Despite achieving this milestone, coach Hugo Broos insists the team is hungry for more as they prepare to face Canada in the last 32.

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I think we can say already now that the World Cup is a success for us. Everybody expected and hoped that we should be in the second round. We are in the second round. But that doesn't mean now that we are happy and that we just play the game tomorrow and go home. Once you are there, you want more.

Broos's side secured their spot in the knockout rounds following a surprising 1-0 victory against South Korea. "I think we can say already now that the World Cup is a success for us," Broos told reporters. "Everybody expected and hoped that we should be in the second round. We are in the second round. But that doesn't mean now that we are happy and that we just play the game tomorrow and go home. Once you are there, you want more."

The Belgian coach emphasized that South Africa must replicate the level of performance and mentality displayed against South Korea to overcome Canada. He described the Canadian team as physically imposing, with an aggressive pressing style that limits opponents' time on the ball. "They all go for the same goal," Broos said. "The moment they lose the ball, everyone wants to win it back. That is very difficult to play against."

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They all go for the same goal. The moment they lose the ball, everyone wants to win it back. That is very difficult to play against.

South Africa has shown resilience, improving throughout the tournament after an opening match loss to Mexico. Broos believes the experience of playing on the world's biggest stage has been instrumental in his squad's adaptation and growing self-belief. "The first game was very good for us. Now we believe in ourselves," he stated.

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The first game was very good for us. Now we believe in ourselves.

At 74, Broos acknowledged that this World Cup is likely to be his last, potentially marking the end of his coaching career. While he misses his family in Belgium, he humorously shared that his wife has given him the green light to extend his stay in the tournament following the team's recent success. Regardless of whether this is his final World Cup, Broos confirmed his players are determined to prolong their campaign by at least one more match.

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She said, 'Okay, you can stay another week, there's no problem'.