Bafana’s Iqraam Rayners issues rallying call to South Africans: ‘Believe in us’

In Los Angeles

Bafana Bafana striker Iqraam Rayners has issued a rallying call to South Africans ahead of the team’s round of 32 clash with Canada in the 2026 FIFA World Cup at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday evening.

South Africa’s flag will fly in the knockout stage of a men’s senior World Cup for the first time in the country’s history when Bafana take on the Canadians in a battle to reach the last 16.

Bafana showed great character and resilience, bouncing back from their disappointing start to the tournament when they lost 2-0 to Mexico, to collect four points against Czechia and South Korea – enough to see them finish in second position in Group A.

The defeat to Mexico and the team’s performance in a match watched by over a billion people left South Africans heartbroken, resulting in them hammering the team for their showing.

But their good showing in patches against Czechia brought the supporters back into Bafana’s corner.

And when the team beat South Korea 1-0, to book a place in the round of 32, Bafana brought unbridled joy to Mzansi - with South Africans taking to the streets to celebrate in the wee hours of Thursday morning.

Rayners wants to emulate that feeling by ensuring that South Africans celebrate into Monday morning in their clash that will kick off at 21:00 (SA time) on Sunday – with a possibility to conclude after midnight as there will be extra time and penalties if the scores are tied.

“We are ready to fight to get a result,” Rayners said.

“We are going to go into this game with the right mentality and right attitude.

“We will do our best, which is what matters. I know that it is not going to be an easy game. It’s going to be a tough one. But us, as a team, we are always up for any challenges