A DRAW might not look good on paper for Bafana Bafana, it simply means we have to resort to permutations.
On Thursday evening, they drew 1-all against not so intimidating Czechia during the second match of the FIFA WC 2026 in Atlanta- US.
Though Czechia scored one of the fastest goals in the tournament (5th min) they lost the momentum that gave Bafana that resilience (former Bafana, Kaizer Chiefs and Downs’ keeper Brian ‘Spider’ Baloyi) spoke about pre-match, during the screening party hosted by HONOR and SABC last night in Sandton.
In all fairness, Bafana should have won the game, nicely- but it was not to be.
Albeit he will miss the Bafana third and final game against South Korea, Teboho Mokoena, scored from a penalty spot to make it 1-1 in the second half.
Mokoena has accumulated two yellow cards that makes him ineligible to play. He joins his captain at Downs’ Themba Zwane, who was red-carded during the 2-0 defeat to Mexico. It means he will miss all the games.
Discipline in the squad is questionable as more players remonstrated with the lady in the middle of the park (the referee), more than twice.
As Bafana face group leaders Korea on June 28, such behaviour could defocus the players mental attitude and coach Hugo Broos and technical team should address this phenomenon.
Another former Chiefs’ defender Morgan Gould believes Bafana need that ‘rejuvenation’ to make it to the last 32, provided they believe in themselves. “We can match South Korea if only they can deal with the fear and fight for their dear lives. After-all we’re all eleven in the field of play,” lamented Gould.
As for permutations this means Bafana will have to see which teams in Group A, does give them that much needed ‘favour’ if only horses were wishes.
Image provided (Bafana Bafana star Tebogo Mokoena, recorded being embraced by teammates after scoring a penalty shot to make it 1-all against Czechia in last night WC clash.)
