Czechia star pinpoints slight advantage ahead of Bafana clash

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Bafana are worse off, says Czechia defender

Africa 17 June 2026 at 10:58

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Czechia star pinpoints slight advantage ahead of Bafana clash

Photo: Czech News Agency/Pavel Balaz

18.06.26 FT World Cup

Czechia

South Africa

Czech Republic defender Jaroslav Zeleny has highlighted a slight advantage they have over Bafana Bafana ahead of the two teams' clash on Thursday.

The encounter is set to be staged at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in the United States, in what will be matchday two of their respective 2026 FIFA World Cup campaigns.

Czechia, similarly to Bafana, lost their opening match of the global showpiece, surrendering a one-goal lead to fall to a 2-1 defeat to South Korea.

With both teams in desperate need of maximum points to get off the mark in Group A, Zeleny is anticipating a physical tussle against South Africa, contrary to the Asians.

“The opponent will be typologically different. Korea had a lot of speed, South Africa has more power players,” he told the Czechia media department.

"I think the game will be a little more physical. I saw their first crazy match, not that they would completely rush into the press and it would be a real duel.

"It was the opening match, so maybe one team was waiting to see what the other would do.

The 33-year-old stalwart believes his team is better off than South Africa, citing the opponent's lack of goals as they were beaten 2-0 by co-hosts Mexico in their first game.

“They are in a similar situation to us, and they didn't score a goal, so they are a little worse off,” Zeleny added.

"At the moment they are in last place, and they will perceive it the same way we do. It will be either or.

"As soon as they don't do something to us, it will be a dead end for them. We need to prepare better than them and win the match.

Czechia head into the match sitting third, while Bafana are rooted at the bottom of the table with an inferior goal difference to the Europeans.

Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.