The songs that usually echo through Bafana Bafana’s dressing room fell silent in Los Angeles, replaced by a heavy, stunned quiet after South Africa’s 1-0 defeat to Canada in the World Cup round of 32.

Stephen Eustáquio’s stoppage-time winner did more than end South Africa’s first-ever appearance in the knockout stages. It cut through the very spirit that has long defined this team: a culture of gwijo, the call-and-response songs that bind players and supporters in moments of joy and pain alike.

Midfielder Teboho Mokoena, whose crucial goal in the group stage had revived Bafana’s campaign, admitted that the mood in the changing room was unlike anything he had experienced with the national side.

“It was so quiet in the locker room,” Mokoena said. “Everybody felt the same way. We felt we could have done much better, and the way we lost the game makes it even more painful.”

South Africa had reason to believe they could extend their historic run. They controlled 58% of possession against Canada and showed composure in midfield, but struggled to turn that dominance into clear chances. The performance had structure and discipline, yet lacked the incisive edge needed at this level.

It was a stark contrast to the scenes days earlier in Monterrey, where Bafana’s jubilant post-match singing after a 1-0 win over South Korea had drawn attention across the tournament. That victory, secured by Thapelo Maseko’s goal, followed a gritty 1-1 draw with Czechia in which Mokoena struck an 83rd-minute equaliser to keep South Africa alive after an opening defeat to Mexico.

Those results had already written a new chapter in Bafana history: a resilient group that refused to bow out quietly, pushing the team into the knockout rounds for the first time. Yet, as Mokoena reflected, pride and regret now sit side by side.

“Everyone is sad,” he said. “I know we can be proud of ourselves for creating that history, but the way we lost makes it still bittersweet.”

For once, there was no song to soften the blow. Only the knowledge that South Africa had come closer than ever before, and the lingering feeling that they had more to give.