South Africa coach Hugo Broos said his team’s path through Group A remains open despite a 2-0 defeat to Mexico at Estadio Azteca. Julián Quiñones opened the scoring in the ninth minute and Raul Jiménez added a second in the 67th for Javier Aguirre’s side.
Broos told reporters the target has not changed from before the tournament: to advance out of the group. He urged focus on the remaining fixtures and said his team must collect points in the next two matches to keep qualification hopes alive.
Bafana Bafana next face Czechia on Thursday, June 18, in Atlanta, before finishing the group against South Korea in Guadalupe on June 24; that match’s kick-off converts to 3 a.m. the following day in South Africa. South Korea beat Czechia 2-1 in the other Group A match.
The coach altered his usual setup for the opener, deploying three centre-backs rather than two and pairing Sphephelo Sithole, Jayden Adams and Teboho Mokoena in midfield. Broos started Iqraam Rayners and Lyle Foster up front while Oswin Appollis and Relebohile Mofokeng began on the bench; Appollis came on late and Mofokeng did not play. South Africa had two players sent off — Sithole in the 50th minute and Themba Zwane in the 84th — and Mexico’s César Montes received a red card in second-half stoppage time.
Broos said the defensive organisation was strong but the team must improve its attacking play. South Africa finished with 39% possession and a 0.08 expected goals figure, according to Flashscore, and the coach said final passes and attacking runs must be better in the coming days. South Africa have never reached the knockout rounds of a FIFA World Cup; this edition is the first expanded tournament to include a round of 32. Ed Dove contributed to this report.
