South Africa and Canada Make World Cup History in Knockout Round

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Co-hosts Canada and South Africa will both make World Cup history when they meet in the opening game of the knockout round on Sunday. Kick-off is at 21:00 (SA time) at the spectacular SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

South Africa's veteran Belgian coach Hugo Broos said reaching the last 32 meant 'we can say already now that the World Cup is a success for us,' but he insisted his side was hungry to go even further. 'That doesn't mean now that we are happy and that we just play the game tomorrow and go home,' he said. 'Once you are there, you want more, and we want to win the game tomorrow,' Broos added.

The teams are no strangers to upsets. South Africa looked dead and buried in a 2-0 defeat to Mexico in the tournament opener but a spirited 1-0 win against South Korea fired them into uncharted territory. Canada celebrated going through too – but slipping to a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland in their final group game cost them their 'home' status.

Superstar Alphonso Davies, the returning Bayern Munich defender, is banking on the 'X-factor' of his own abilities to elevate his team in Sunday's showdown. Coach Jesse Marsch said he relished the return of Davies, who was sidelined for the entire group phase due to a hamstring injury. 'Now that we have Alphonso back and healthy and ready to perform, I think it's a big moment for the team and a big boost for the team,' Marsch said.

With both teams hungrier than ever, only time will tell if South Africa and Canada will advance to the next stage of the FIFA World Cup.

Co-hosts Canada and South Africa are ready to face each other in the FIFA World Cup knockout round, making history as no African team has ever reached this stage. With both sides hungry for victory, Sunday's match is shaping up to be an electrifying encounter.