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Jubilant South African celebrate Tshaba’s iconic opening goal of World Cup 2010. Photo by MUSTAFA OZER / AFP)

World Cup 2022: One South African born player will be in Qatar

Bafana Bafana obviously won’t be at World Cup 2022, but one player at the tournament was born in South Africa.

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Jubilant South African celebrate Tshaba’s iconic opening goal of World Cup 2010. Photo by MUSTAFA OZER / AFP)

World Cup 2022 in Qatar will be here any minute now.

Although South Africa didn’t qualify for the tournament (we haven’t done so since 2010, and that was by virtue of hosting it), there will be a South African-born player at the the tournament.

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One South African born player at World Cup 2022

It’s not the first time that a South African has represented an Australian sports team. Keanu Baccus, born in Durban, will represent the Socceroos at World Cup 2022. Baccus is a 24-year-old holding midfielder currently on the books of St Mirren, a Scottish Premier League outfit.

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Baccus actually only made his Australia debut in September this year, so his timing for a call-up has been perfect. We’ll be following his progress keenly. Australia’s work is cut out for them in Group B as they face holders France, dangerous outsiders Denmark and North African giants Tunisia.

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What a vibe! Fans hold a Nelson Mandela portrait before the World Cup final. Photo by RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP)

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Here’s hoping that Keanu can get himself out of the Matrix and into top form at World Cup 2022. If he does the Socceroos proud, we’ll definitely claim it.


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