Hugo Broos makes surprising claim after Mexico World Cup defeat

Africa Today at 02:42

Hlayisani Magoro

News Editor

11.06.26 FT World Cup

Mexico

2

:

South Africa

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Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos claims that his troops gave Mexico a run for their money despite a 2-0 defeat in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Azteca Stadium on Thursday night.

South Africa fell to goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez in either half in a match that saw Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane receive straight red cards, while Mexico captain Cesar Montes also received his marching orders.

Bafana sit at the bottom of Group A standings as a result of the below-par performance, but the Belgian mentor is adamant that his team troubled the co-hosts, stating that Javier Aguirre's men looked desperate at times.

“I don't think it's a drop in standard from my players, it's just the fact that this level is much higher, and whatever the level, when you're playing in the World Cup you're playing against a good team,” Broos said.

"But I also have to tell you that we played a good game, I saw a desperate Mexico in some moments of the game, they didn't know what to do with the ball. The organization was perfect defensively.

"At the other side offensively, I think we have to improve, there were some opportunities that with the last pass or the running of our players was not the right one. So, I think this is something to improve in the next days, and then I'm sure we can play the same game, but being better offensively so that we can have a better result also.

Broos says Mexico's secret weapon is their speed which ultimately proved vital against his side, having conceded the opening goal due to a lapse of concentration and being casual on the ball just nine minutes into the match.

“This is a big quality of this Mexican team, except maybe the guys at the back but for the rest of the players were very quick, not only quick offensively but also quick defensively. And you saw the first goal we get [conceded] from where the guy came to press on our player, it was a sprint of 20 metres I think," he added.

"So, this is the big quality of this Mexican team, but again, I think we managed it good the entire game, in some moments better than other moments, but we managed it good and our game was not so bad.

Despite securing a favourable result, the Mexican supporters were booing their players at some point in the game, a factor the Bafana boss believes proves his charges didn't allow the home team to run riot, but were simply victims of their poor attacking display.

“Let's say that I believe and I have confidence in my team, and I knew they will play a good and great game today [Thursday], they were motivated, they wanted to show all the world how good South African players are. So, I'm very happy that you say that [Mexico supporters were booing their players],” the Veteran tactician continued.

"It was true and I already said that a few minutes ago, the Mexican players sometimes were desperate, they didn't know anymore how to find the spaces, how to find a free player, but from our side, again, if we could have had a better offensive play, I think we could have been more dangerous than today.

Bafana will now switch focus to a clash against Czech Republic who suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of South Korea on Friday. The crucial match is scheduled for Thursday, 18 June, with the two teams desperate to get off the mark.

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