The days of playing coy are over. Alphonso Davies made his first media appearance of this World Cup in Los Angeles on Saturday, declaring that the upcoming last-32 match would mark his long-anticipated return to the pitch.
For Canada, who will confront fellow knockout stage debutants South Africa in a Sunday afternoon match, this moment could not be more pivotal. Head coach Jesse Marsch had previously used Davies’s health as a tactic to mislead the Swiss during their training session in Vancouver, but that strategy backfired. Les Rouges experienced their first defeat of this World Cup and were forced to move south.
This encounter against one of the lowest-ranked teams that advanced from the group stage presents a chance for both Davies and Marsch to add another historic moment to a month filled with milestones. They also have an opportunity to address a setback that began at this very location last March. At that time, the more traditionally named SoFi Stadium was where Davies suffered an ACL tear, setting off a chain of injuries and a complicated dynamic involving the national team, its coach, and Bayern Munich, where Davies plays. Perhaps a return to this venue can facilitate a renewed sense of unity.
“Coming back to this stadium, [it’s] like now I get to finish something I started a year ago and really enjoy playing [here],” Davies stated, reflecting on his absence since the injury. “The first time I was in this stadium it was beautiful but it was cut short. At the end of the day, that’s football.”
Davies has had to endure watching from the sidelines, describing his experience during Group B as “Now that we have Alphonso back and healthy and ready to perform, it’s a big moment for the team,” A moment of levity arose during Saturday’s press conference when a German journalist suggested he would be in the starting lineup against Bafana Bafana. “It changes the potential of what our team is and what we can do in this tournament. The whole idea was: ‘Can we get stronger as the tournament goes on? And as the opponents get tougher and the moments get bigger?’ That’s where we are right now.” an astonished Davies exclaimed, perhaps needing to refine his poker face. Or maybe it has already achieved a level of Hollywood finesse, allowing him to lead Canada onto the field.
Davies is just one of the key players making a return. Following Ismaël Koné’s unfortunate leg injury against Qatar, Canada is poised to welcome back arguably their two best players—Davies and Moïse Bombito—as the tournament progresses into its crucial stages.
“I think we can say already now that the World Cup is a success for us,” Marsch remarked. “That doesn’t mean now that we are happy and just play the game tomorrow and go home. You want more. We will have to be on our best level. But should we achieve again and go to the third round then that should be a miracle for Bafana Bafana.”
If Bombito is fit enough, he should definitely start on Sunday. His speed will be crucial against a South African team that exploited South Korea’s defense multiple times in their surprising victory on Wednesday night. Although FIFA’s rankings show a thirty-place gap between the two teams, Bafana Bafana enters the match with significant momentum. They will also have the talented midfielder Teboho Mokoena returning from suspension.
“We’re going to experience difficulty, we’re going to experience success. We’re going to have challenges. The key is that we’re ready to rise,” said South Africa’s seasoned coach, Hugo Broos, on Saturday. “For me I live for these moments, I’m sure Alphonso would say the same. You live for the moments where you’re tested and you can show how good you are.”
Mokoena is expected to return to the midfield alongside Yaya Sithole, who redeemed himself with a stellar performance against the Koreans after receiving a red card on the opening day against Mexico.
After celebrating their first World Cup victory with a resounding 6-0 win over Qatar, Canada experienced a letdown on Wednesday, when fitness-related issues did not resonate well in the co-host nation. Los Angeles now presents a chance to transform a decent World Cup into something truly memorable. With only one match scheduled for Sunday, the victor will be the first to secure a spot in the last 16, awaiting the outcome of the match between Morocco and the Netherlands to determine who will join them in Houston.
“We’re going to face challenges, encounter successes, and navigate difficulties. The key is to be ready to rise,” Marsch emphasized. “I live for these moments, and I’m sure Alphonso would agree. You live for the instances where you’re tested and can showcase your abilities.”
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