Unleash Bafana’s star players

Benni McCarthy believes SA’s campaign can be rescued if Broos brings on the danger men

- MIHLALI BALEKA AND MERVYN NAIDOO

THE cat was right!

A furry wonder named “Nimbus the King” had already predicted Bafana Bafana’s fate even before a ball was kicked at the Estadio Azteca, in Mexico City, in Thursday's opening match of the World Cup 2026.

The hosts were the overwhelming favourites in front of 80000-plus home fans, and they inflicted a humiliating 2-0 defeat.

Now, former soccer stars demand that for Bafana Bafana to reach the knockout stage or exit the tournament with pride, they must remain authentic to their playing style and clearly understand the team’s shortcomings.

Bafana Bafana were hardly ever able to play with the swagger they're known for. The Mexican team was well prepared, slick in executing their game plan and reduced Bafana’s usual grunt to the odd meows here and there, during the 90 minutes of action.

So jittery and disjointed was Bafana’s performance that they looked about as comfortable as Nimbus the King would on the Azteca’s steel roof.

The pundits crucified coach Hugo Broos for controversially adopting a rigid defensive strategy on Thursday.

This tactical approach, which simultaneously caused defensive confusion and suffocated offensive creativity, was severely criticised by the public, both those watching on television and those at the stadium. Broos, however, defended his approach.