Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos’s inhibitions and a fear of humiliation cannot be allowed to hold the nation to ransom.
In my books, there cannot be any other logical explanations for the shenanigans on Thursday in the 2026 Fifa World Cup opening game against Mexico at a seething Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
The anxiety to roll with the punches is probably one of the reasons the Belgian coach is convinced that his team played a good match, contrary to what the entire world witnessed in the 90 minutes that almost gave us pink eye – one of Bafana’s worst performances in years.
Bafana were beaten 2-0 in the opening game against the co-hosts, which the entire football universe watched.
It’s never a big issue losing to Mexico; they are a decent and passionate diski country and losing to them at home in the opening match of a Fifa World Cup was not going to be shameful or embarrassing.
I am not too worried about the scoreline but what does get my goat is the manner in which the South Africans lost the match – they capitulated like teens at a matric farewell after-party.
Another thing that made Bafana supporters foam at the mouth is the fact that Mexico do not make their opponents shake in their boots.
The fans are left wondering which Bafana side will pitch for the second match against Czechia on Thursday in Atlanta.
After the match, Broos said: “We’re playing at a World Cup, we’re playing against a really good team but we played a good game.
“I saw a desperate Mexico. They didn’t know what to do with the ball. The organisation was perfect defensively.”
About his 5-3-2 formation, the Belgian said: “For the first minutes, the pressure from Mexico was high and after that there was balance in the game. They became desperate and did not know what to do with the ball. The two central defenders were just waiting and did not have
the solution.
“In tournaments, you must not think too far because anything can happen and for us, our goals stay the same as they were a week ago. We want to survive the group stages and it’s still possible and the start was not that good, not what we expected. It is what it is.”
Broos explained further that he believed in his team and if they could improve offensively, they would be dangerous.
“We have to try to get the points in our next two games.
“I believe and have confidence in my team and I knew that they were going to play a big and great game today.
“Like I said, at some point, the Mexican players were sometimes desperate. They did not know where to run and how to find space.
“If we can improve and have a better offensive, then we can be dangerous.”
Now that Broos is happy with the scoreline and his reputation remains intact, he must go for the gonads and unleash the best two players in the PSL – Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis – coupled with the ever-improving Thapelo Maseko against Czechia.
Keeping your best attackers on the bench for a defensive layout is mind-boggling and annoying.
The Europeans also lost their first group match in the 2-1 loss to South Korean, so Broos and troops can be opportunistic and pounce. We do not know much about Czechia but after a long absence in the World Cup, we cannot go there and try to park the bus. If we do, then why did we fight to qualify?
- Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is perceived to have inhibitions and fear of humiliation.
- These fears are seen as potentially holding the nation’s football ambitions at ransom.
- The article suggests that Broos’s mindset should not hinder the team’s progress.
- It implies the need for greater confidence and resolve from the coach.
- Full details of the story require access to the Sunday World e-edition.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos’s inhibitions and a fear of humiliation cannot be allowed to hold the nation to ransom.
In my books, there cannot be any other logical explanations for the shenanigans on
Bafana were beaten 2-0 in the opening game against the co-hosts, which the entire football universe watched.
It’s never a big issue losing to Mexico; they are a decent and passionate diski country and losing to them at home in the opening match of a Fifa World Cup was not going to be shameful or embarrassing.
I am not too worried about the scoreline but what does get my goat is the manner in which the
After the match, Broos said: “We’re playing at a World Cup, we’re playing against a really good team but we played a good game.
“I saw a desperate Mexico.
About his 5-3-2 formation, the Belgian said: “For the first minutes, the pressure from Mexico was high and after that there was balance in the game.
the solution.
“In tournaments, you must not think too far because anything can happen and for us, our goals stay the same as they were a week ago. We want to survive the group stages and it’s still possible and the start was not that good, not what we expected. It is what it is.”
Broos explained further that he believed in his team and if they could improve offensively, they would be dangerous.
“We have to try to get the points in our next two games.
“I believe and have confidence in my team and I knew that they were going to play a big and great game today.
“Like I said, at some point, the Mexican players were sometimes desperate.
“If we can improve and have a better offensive, then we can be dangerous.”
Now that Broos is happy with the scoreline and his reputation remains intact, he must go for the gonads and unleash the best two players in the PSL – Relebohile
