Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has described Mexico as a “very complete team” and warned that South Africa will need to produce one of their best performances if they are to get a positive result in their FIFA World Cup opener on Thursday.
Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated clash, Broos acknowledged the quality spread throughout the Mexican squad, insisting that identifying a single danger man would be impossible.
“I don’t know all eleven players by name, so I can’t tell you who is the most dangerous. They are all dangerous,” Broos said.
The Belgian tactician was particularly impressed by El Tricolor’s collective style of play, highlighting their movement, intensity and teamwork as key strengths.
“It is a very complete team with much movement and solidarity. You can see that those guys really want to become world champions. You see that in the way they are playing and in their commitment to the game,” he explained.
Broos pointed to Mexico’s performance against Serbia as evidence of the challenge awaiting his side, praising their dominant opening stages and disciplined approach both in and out of possession.
“I saw the game against Serbia. It was fantastic how they played, certainly in the first half hour. Movement, aggressiveness and solidarity – the whole team attacks and the whole team defends – so it’s a very complete team.”
While recognising the size of the task, Broos remains confident that Bafana should not enter the match believing they are already beaten.
“It will be very difficult for us on Thursday, but a football game is a football game. We don’t have to think now that we don’t have any chance against Mexico. That is not true either.”
Instead, the veteran coach emphasised the importance of preparation and performance, calling on his players to rise to the occasion.
“We have to prepare ourselves very well and we have to play at our best level. That is for sure.”
South Africa will hope to make a strong start to their World Cup campaign, but Broos is under no illusion about the quality of the opposition, with Mexico presenting what he believes will be one of the toughest tests his team has faced.
Written by: Sandile Ndumo
