South Africa fans hail historic World Cup knockout entry after Korea win

The nation’s shock win against South Korea in Mexico quelled criticism back at home after doubts about coach Hugo Broos’ team.

As South Africa’s football team danced the night away in Guadalupe’s Monterrey Stadium after making World Cup history, fans in Johannesburg were celebrating in the streets long before the sun came out and heralded what would become an unparalleled day in the nation’s football history.

Two red cards, one loss, a draw and a win later, South Africa did it all in their group stage matches at the World Cup and advanced to the knockout round of the tournament for the first time.

Thapelo Maseko fired into the net in the 63rd minute to give Bafana Bafana a stunning 1-0 win over South Korea, who now straddle the uncertain line between possible round of 32 qualification or elimination.

Monterrey Stadium will long reverberate with the raw emotions of South Africa fans and players celebrating the win in a fairy-tale ending to their group stage run that began with a disastrous opening match loss for Hugo Broos’ side.

While much of the nation had yet to wake up to the team’s historic achievement, die-hard football fanatics sacrificed sleep to watch the South Korea kickoff at 3am, oblivious to the quiet countdown of history about to be made.

A couple of hours later, as the sun began to make its presence known, the streets were filled with supporters dancing and celebrating South Africa’s feat in their pyjamas and winter clothing; some 10,000km (6,200 miles) away, the team danced the night away in their locker room in Guadalupe, Mexico.

“It’s like the whole country stayed awake and probably won’t even go to work tomorrow!” joked South Africa football fan Lorenz Kohler.

The Johannesburg-based football fan last saw his team play at the World Cup when South Africa hosted the tournament in 2010, where they notoriously became the first host nation in history that failed to advance past the group stage.

I can definitely say this moment surpasses anything of 2010; it will never be forgotten,” Kohler told Al Jazeera.

“I know many watch parties took place this evening as if it were in the afternoon – people had faith and knew something big could happen.”

South Africa’s performance saw several critics put their hands up in defeat after doubting what Hugo Broos’ men could do this time round.

“So many people wrote us off before the tournament started, and said we would be the whipping boys of the group, so it’s made the performance and victory even sweeter,” football fanatic Byron Pillay told Al Jazeera.

“This is an incredibly proud moment; Cli