Several former Bafana Bafana players have called on head coach Hugo Broos to change the team’s tactical approach ahead of Thursday’s Group match with Czechia in Atlanta. The calls followed South Africa’s 2-0 loss to Mexico on June 11 and comments Broos made after that game.
Teko Modise, now a pundit at SuperSport, led the criticism on SuperSport TV. Responding to Broos’ assertion that Bafana had “played a good game,” Modise said: “You were the one that put this 11, this system all together. You can’t come out and tell us as a country that things have been well. Which game were you watching?”
Modise, who represented South Africa at the 2010 World Cup and starred for Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, pointed to the selection and shape used against Mexico. Broos started a surprise 5-3-2 formation in that match and left out Oswin Appollis and Relebohile Mofokeng. Modise added that once South Africa conceded the first goal “we consistently struggled in terms of playing,” and criticised the choice to maintain five at the back in the second half.
Former Pirates, Sundowns and Feyenoord forward Kermit Erasmus also pushed back on Broos’ post-match remarks, writing on X: “Even if it’s true that the level is too high, how do you say that for the world to know. The World Cup just started. We can’t believe in our boys more than you.”
Ex-Pirates winger and midfielder Luvuyo Memela added his voice on Monday evening via an Instagram story, praising Cape Verde’s disciplined 0-0 draw with Spain and contrasting the islanders’ approach with South Africa’s. “All the African teams I have watched so far – they are playing their style of play – unlike us,” he wrote, adding: “It’s better to lose a fight on our two feet than being on our knees. Come on, Coach. It’s your last dance – handbrake down.”
Broos has enjoyed broad support during his five-year tenure as head coach, but the former internationals’ comments underline mounting scrutiny as South Africa pursues a first-ever progression to the World Cup knockout stage.
