Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi believes South Africa should have selected stronger opposition to properly assess their readiness for the FIFA World Cup.
South Africa will play Panama in two international friendly matches on March 27 and 31, as part of their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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The matches will take place at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban and DHL Stadium in Cape Town
The Abafana Bes’thende mentor is reminded of the opponents that Bafana chose to play when they were preparing for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which was on home soil.
Mngqithi says facing a powerhouse side, even from Africa, would help gauge South Africa’s level ahead of the continental showpiece.
“I’d be lying if I said we supported Broos enough when it comes to friendlies,” said Mngqithi.
“I think his preparation is too limited because this means he has one game he’ll play after AFCON. I regard [two games] them as one game if they are played in one FIFA break.
“I don’t think it helps him that much to try things and see players that he hadn’t tried, that are doing well right now.
“To me, I feel we didn’t support him as we had to. I think we could have chosen better even on the calibre of opponents. If the last game before World Cup was against big guns, what you’d see that would give hope on how you’ll fare in the World Cup.
“The type of opposition we’re playing is like the countries we played before the 2010 World Cup, when we faced the likes of Guatemala, teams that you have never heard of in football.
“We could have chosen even one powerhouse in Africa – the team that has qualified for the World Cup so we could see if we are close because this is the only FIFA break we have before going there.
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