The days of subterfuge are over for Canada as Alphonso Davies made his first media appearance of this World Cup in Los Angeles on Saturday. He expressed confidence that the upcoming opening knockout match would mark his long-anticipated comeback.
With Canada preparing to face fellow newcomers South Africa in a Sunday afternoon clash, the timing could not be more critical. For head coach Jesse Marsch, who had previously used Davies’s fitness status as a tactic to mislead their Swiss opponents in Vancouver, this moment is equally significant. Unfortunately for them, that strategy backfired as Les Rouges faced their first defeat in the World Cup and headed south.
This match against one of the lowest-ranked teams to progress through the group stage presents an opportunity for both Davies and Marsch to add another achievement to their list. Moreover, they have a chance to mend a rift that began last March when Davies suffered an ACL tear in the very same stadium, previously known as SoFi Stadium, that has since clouded the relationship between the national team, its coach, and Bayern Munich, his club. Perhaps a restored sense of unity can yield further triumphs.
“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 remarked, 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, which he described as “Now that we have Alphonso back and healthy and ready to perform, it’s a big moment for the team,” during the Group B matches. A humorous moment occurred when a German journalist suggested he would return in Marsch’s 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 responded, hinting he may need to refine his poker face. Or perhaps it’s already ready for the Hollywood spotlight as he prepares to lead Canada onto the field.
He is just one of the key players returning to the squad. Following the unfortunate leg injury of Ismaël Koné against Qatar, Canada is now set to welcome back two of their best players, Davies and Moïse Bombito, as they enter the tournament’s crucial stages.
“I think we can say already now that the World Cup is a success for us,” Marsch stated. “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.”
Bombito, if fit, is expected to start on Sunday, given his speed could prove vital against a South African team that exploited South Korea’s weaknesses during their stunning victory on Wednesday night. Despite being ranked 30 spots lower than Canada, Bafana Bafana arrives with significant momentum, bolstered by the return of key midfielder Teboho Mokoena 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,” South Africa’s veteran manager, Hugo Broos, commented 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 likely to return to the lineup alongside Yaya Sithole, who redeemed himself after receiving a red card against Mexico with a stellar performance against the Koreans.
Meanwhile, the situation surrounding Canada’s vice-captain, Stephen Eustáquio, is just as critical as that of Davies or Bombito. The Porto midfielder was reportedly dealing with muscle fatigue and managed only 30 minutes off the bench against Switzerland. His absence was keenly felt by the team.
After celebrating their first World Cup victory with a commanding 6-0 win over Qatar, Canada faced a sobering setback on Wednesday, as the fitness issues and tactical gamesmanship did not resonate well in the co-host nation. Los Angeles now presents an opportunity to elevate a commendable World Cup performance into something truly remarkable. With only one match on Sunday, the victor will be the first to secure a spot in the last 16, waiting to see whether Morocco or the Netherlands will join them in Houston.
“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,” Marsch concluded. “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.”
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