SEDIBENG.- Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Augustine Makalakalane, who also coaches Educators, said that Hugo Broos got his tactics completely wrong in South Africa’s 2-0 World Cup opening defeat to co-hosts Mexico on Thursday night.

To make matters worse for the national team, Bafana Bafana, finished the match with just nine players after Siphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane received red cards.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, Makalakalane explained that the coach compromised the squad by playing several players out of their natural positions. He noted that the team looked lost for most of the game, completely lacking the decent combination play they are usually known for.

As an example, Makalakalane pointed out that Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who normally plays as a central defender, was deployed out of position as a left-back or left wing-back. He described the entire team as disjointed and lacking a backup plan, even after conceding an early goal.

Opting for five defenders was suicidal

He told Sedibeng Ster Sport that opting for five defenders was a suicidal decision by the coach, as South African players are naturally known for their attacking style. He added that Mexico did not actually pose much of a threat, apart from the soft goals that South Africa conceded.

Furthermore, Makalakalane questioned the coach’s selection choices and his decision to leave certain players out of the starting line-up, which he felt ruined the balance of the team.

Makalakalane stated that he dislikes criticising coaches, but felt Broos got his tactics wrong with both the starting line-up and the system. He argued there was no need to play five defenders and put players out of position. He observed that the key players expected to deliver a top performance were nowhere to be found, adding that Teboho Mokoena looked frustrated because the team could hardly string together decent passes.

Players looked frustrated

“He had no business to play with five defenders and played some of the players out of position. The players we all knew and expected better performance from were nowhere to be found in the field. Players like Teboho Mokoena looked frustrated on the night as the team hardly put together decent passes.”

Describing the match as chaotic due to the two red cards, Makalakalane also criticised the substitutions. “There are some players that I expected the coach to bring in as early as the second half. This is the biggest tournament in the world, and you can’t afford to make those silly mistakes; you would be punished,” said Makalakalane.

Despite the poor start, Makalakalane remains confident that Bafana Bafana can still surprise people in their remaining two matches. However, he stressed this will only happen if Broos fixes his tactics and plays the squad in their correct positions.

Broos is now expected to make changes for the next crucial game against Czechia on June 18.