Live Update: Home Bound. The Inspiring Journey of the South African Team at the 2025 Homeless World Cup

_{To Oslo and Beyond For The Remarkable Eight: Oslo's Final Day.
--}

The sun is rising on the final day of the Homeless World Cup in Oslo, and while the trophy is no longer within reach for South Africa's 'Remarkable Eight,' today is still about victory.

A day defined not by the heartbreaking 3-4 semi-final loss to Egypt, but by the unbreakable spirit that has captivated the Norwegian crowd and all those watching from all the corners of the globe. We all shared these moments with the team. 

Today, the South African team play their last game with infectious joy for the beautiful game. The team prepares for their final match, the bronze medal playoff. 

Unlike other major tournaments, the stands here are filled not just with local fans, but with every single player and team from the 48 nations who have traveled to Oslo, as they are all asked to stay until the very end, to bear witness to the tournament’s conclusion. 

Follow for more live updates throughout the course of the Beautiful Game's day, the final day of the 2025 Homeless in Norway, Oslo, the 20th anniversary. 

To our boys, you got this today. 

With love from SA.

For the latest match day news, photos, and updates from the tournament in Oslo, please scroll down.

_{Match Day 1!} 

_{In their first match of the tournament, the South African team, competing in Group A, delivered a dominant performance against the Czech Republic.}

_{The final score was a resounding 12-0 victory for South Africa.}

Welcome to Match Day 2!

_{Follow the South African Homeless World Cup Team as they take on Norway at 17:20.}

_{Stay tuned for live updates, photos, and comments from the team.}

<sub>They sing the tune of our Mother Africa. Today's performance against Norway featured a fast-paced first half, showcasing the team's sheer strength.

Going into the second half, 7-1 with a suitable climate, seemed like the fatigue from two days of travel may have kicked in, with a stop in Doha.

Experiencing two different worlds, and their resilience was present today. We play Greece tomorrow!</sub>

_{South Africa 8 - Norway 3
End of Matchday 2.}

_{Footage from Match Day 2 below!} 

_{With a sound victory over the hosting nation, Norway. A lovely quality game in the first half!}

_{Let's take tomorrow's double vs Greece at 15:00 & Brazil at 19:00.}

_{Live on YouTube, pitch 2 and 1 respectively.}

Welcome to Match Day 3! 

_{Today's Fixtures:
South Africa vs Greece - 15:00
South Africa 9 - Greece 1}

_{Brazil vs South Africa - 19:00
South Africa 3 - Brazil 6}

Day 3 of the Homeless World Cup in Oslo, Norway.

<sub>The South African team was proudly awarded the coveted Fair Play Award on Day 3, recognizing the spirit of Ubuntu and fair play demonstrated by the team after the tight 6-3 defeat to Brazil on the 3rd evening. 

Our true essence embodies the beautiful game.</sub>

<sub>"It's about more than just winning or losing on the pitch," comments Team coach, Bongani "Bobo" Matheso. 

"The Fair Play award is judged by a panel of referees and tournament officials who closely observe teams for their conduct, fair play, and adherence to the spirit of the game." - HWC Spokesperson</sub>

_{Today was a victory that will be felt throughout the tournament.}

<sub>A comfortable win over Greece, with another slick first half, scoring eight goals, as the remarkable eight came out with a stunning 9-1 victory.

Follow Matchday 3 live here as we take on Bulgaria at 13:20 and Finland at 17:00.</sub>

SOUTH AFRICA 7 - BULGARIA 3
_{Great attacking performance. 
We lead up to our game against Finland live at 17:00} 

<sub>Another win for the boys in Norway vs Bulgaria!

South Africa plays Finland at 17:00 on Pitch 2.

Another one! The boys rocked it out vs Finland, winning 11-3. And that concludes a lovely 3rd day of a wonderful, most beautiful game.</sub> 

Matchday 4 

_{With two games that tested our mentality,}

_{we delivered two solid performances, we gave a taste of flair play, skill, speed, physicality, and our love for this week's crucial matches.} 

_{The start of the second stage begins with teams being reshuffled according to their performance in the first phase of games.}

_{Mindset is "happy, but we remain humble," - Coach Bobo tells IOL.}

_{Team SA is now top of the Group D table after beating Bulgaria and Finland in the first stage, progressing to the second.} 

End of Match Day 4

MATCHDAY 5!
_{We take on Bosnia later today at 15:00.}

<sub>Hear what Coach Bobo had to say before today's victory.

"I had a chat with the boys today about Bosnia; they told me they were willing to die for one another."

"I have had to take a lot of time to reflect on this year's tournament, and just seeing the boys on the pitch, it's my dream come true." - Coach Bobo to IOL.</sub> 

_{Final Score: South Africa 8 - Bosnia 4}

End of Match Day 5. 

Day 6 in Oslo!
_{Welcome to the Knockout Stages}

<sub>South Africa wins its 7th game of the tournament so far, beating Poland 8-1.

Our second fixture kicks off at 15:40 as we face Costa Rica.</sub> 

_{Costa Rica - 2 South Africa - 4}

_{A remarkable performance against Costa Rica, who were physical and tough. Two late goals in the last minutes of the game saw the remarkable eight won,
3-2}

END OF KNOCKOUT STAGE.

THE QUARTER FINALS

_{It was exhilarating. South Africa has advanced to the semi-finals of the Homeless World Cup.
The Remarkable Eight were resilient, fierce, and composed, winning 9-7.}

For many of us, the Homeless World Cup is an annual event that often goes unnoticed, and returning to Oslo for its 20th anniversary, the tournament has been remarkable so far! 

A little under a week ago, a group of young South African men arrived in the city, and tomorrow, The Remarkable Eight, the South African HWC Team, will face Scotland in the much-anticipated quarter-final match.

I had a chance to connect with the boys via a short video call with Bly, and as I got a glimpse into their world, and humbly thankful for this I am. Seeing their smiles, their spirit came right through the screen, as humble as ever.

During our call, a simple yet profound moment occurred; a player from Hong Kong came into the hotel room and wanted to swap jerseys with one of the South African players. In this instant, barriers of language, culture, and circumstance ceased to exist; they disappeared.

It was a pure, unscripted exchange of respect, proving the true essence of the Homeless World Cup's mission. 

When Bly passed the phone to Waka and Niyaaz, I most graciously congratulated them, and I told them this: that their country was watching and cheering on. This is when their faces lit up, a mix of relief and pride?

To smile and say they are doing this for those back home is an act of true humbleness for these eight young men, who have felt unseen, unheard, and condemned by society, is truly remarkable 

Earning their spot was not by luck as the team constantly came to the pitch and delivered quality football for 14 minutes each match, done with Mzanzi; joyous, skilled, creativity, and physically that has captivated audiences in Oslo. 

                                                             Scotland Awaits.

The Semifinal Showdown
-

Now, all eyes turn to the semi-final showdown against Egypt at the 2025 Homeless World Cup in Oslo, Norway.

With a spot in the final on the line, the South African team prepares for what promises to be one of its biggest challenges yet.

This evening's game is one not to be missed as the two African giants go head-to-head at 18:40.

 African Giants vs Egyptian Kings 

As the rain poured from the Oslo skies, the semi-final between South Africa and Egypt, two African powerhouses, was a battle with both teams displaying an incredible love for the game with every pass, tackle, and shot.

Shown through the immense passion of the players, these moments are a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is formidably life-changing.

Though the dream of lifting the trophy has ended a day early for the 2025 Remarkable South African Homeless World Cup Team in its 20th anniversary, South Africa's legacy in Oslo is already secure. 

In a few days, eight young men will leave the tournament, champions in every spiritual right.

_{Special Words}