Hugo Broos reacts to Czechia World Cup draw

18.06.26 FT World Cup

Czechia

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South Africa

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Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has reflected on the one-all draw with Czech Republic in matchday two of their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign at the Mercedes Benz Stadium on Thursday.

Teboho Mokoena rescued a crucial point for South Africa after firing home from the spot in the 83rd minute, canceling out Michal Sadilek's opener six minutes into the high-stakes match.

Bafana remain rooted at the bottom of Group A standings and level on one point with Czechia, but kept their knockout stage hopes alive as they look to avoid a group stage exit for the first time in history.

The Belgian mentor was pleased with how his troops applied themselves against the European side, and insists Bafana deserved to secure maximum points but were victims of a lack of luck.

“I think that we played a very good game today except for one moment in the beginning of the first half where we were not concentrated and not focused. We knew no.5 has a long throw-in, so we let surprises and you pay such a mistake cash on that level,” said Broos.

"But except that I think Bafana Bafana made a very good game, certainly through the second half we were constantly in the half of Czechia and the only thing Czechia did was long balls in front to the tall men of 1.95m, 1.92m in height, and then try with a flick to be dangerous.

"So, I think we deserve more today because, again, we played a very good game and you need a little bit of luck sometimes in a game, so that was not the case today, when you shoot maybe through the legs, there was always a leg or a body that could block a shot, but if we go on like that and if we can make another performance like today I think we have a chance to go in the second round.

Broos went on to delve deep on the thought process behind his substitutions which titled the game in his team's favour as they controlled proceedings for a large chunk of the second half, synonymous to the Bafana DNA.

“I thought first half we were not aggressive enough when we lost the ball and that meant Czechia in some moments could play football very easily. So, this is the message I gave to the players in the second half,” the veteran tactician added.

"And also the fact we needed someone in the free space to receive the ball and I hoped with Rele [Mofokeng] we will have that man in the free space who could make us more dangerous and it helped. So, I think what we did during half time was a very good decision.

"But also the guys were very determined and they showed a lot of perseverance today in the game , they wanted to win the game and that makes me very happy, and again, I'm very proud of the performance of my team and I'm very proud of my team and this is the real Bafana Bafana.

Bafana will now switch focus to a must-win clash against second-placed South Korea on Thursday, 25 June. The highly-anticipated tie is set to be staged at the Monterrey Stadium, Guadalupe, Mexico.

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.

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