JOHANNESBURG, June 30 (Xinhua) -- South African Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie on Monday hailed the country's national team for reaching the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time, despite a 1-0 defeat to Canada in Sunday's round of 32.
In a statement, McKenzie described the team's run as "the most extraordinary chapter in the history of South African football," noting that it marked the country's best-ever World Cup performance after group-stage exits in 1998, 2002 and 2010.
"These young men did what no South African team has ever done before. They made it through, and that is not a small thing. That is history that can't be erased, written in the gold and green on the world stage in front of billions of people," he said.
McKenzie also praised World Cup co-hosts Canada, the United States and Mexico for successfully staging the tournament.
In a separate statement, the South African government also commended the team. "Throughout the tournament, the players, coaches, and technical team displayed courage, resilience, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to representing the country with honor and distinction," it said. ■
