South Africa coach Hugo Broos is facing mounting criticism from former internationals following Bafana Bafana’s disappointing start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A 2-0 defeat to Mexico in their opening match left South Africa with little margin for error ahead of Thursday’s crucial encounter with Czechia in Atlanta.
Former Bafana midfielder Teko Modise led the criticism after Broos suggested his side had produced a respectable performance despite the defeat.
“You were the one who selected that team and system,” Modise said during a television appearance. “You cannot tell the country everything went well. Which game were you watching?”
ESPN.com reports that the former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns star questioned Broos’ decision to deploy a defensive 5-3-2 formation and persist with five defenders even after falling behind.
Ex-Bafana forward Kermit Erasmus also expressed concern after Broos appeared to suggest that the level of competition at the World Cup exceeded what many South African players were accustomed to.
“Even if that is true, how do you say that for the world to know?” Erasmus wrote on social media. “The World Cup has only just started. We cannot believe in our players more than you do.”
Former winger Luvuyo Memela echoed those sentiments, praising Cape Verde’s fearless display against Spain while urging South Africa to play with greater ambition.
“All the African teams I have watched are playing their own style,” Memela said. “We seem too worried about losing. It is better to lose fighting on your feet than on your knees.”
Despite guiding South Africa to notable progress during his five-year tenure, Broos now finds himself under growing pressure as Bafana seek to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Defeat against Czechia would leave South Africa on the brink of elimination and intensify scrutiny of a coach who has largely enjoyed strong public support throughout his reign.
