iDiski TV analyst Junior Khanye has urged Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos to change his formation and bring in fresh legs if they are to get something against Czech Republic on Thursday.
Khanye’s comments come on the back of Bafana’s 2-0 defeat to Mexico in the 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against the co-hosts last week where they also finished the game with nine men after seeing red twice.
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The coach’s approach in that encounter was widely criticized with most blaming the defeat on his starting 11. Bafana meet the Czechs who also lost their opening match to South Korea in Group A in Atlanta this week looking to bounce back.
The former Kaizer Chiefs winger named his preferred starting line-up saying some players like Teboho Mokoena should be played in their best positions to maximise their strengths while youth is needed upfront.
Khanye who is at the World Cup courtesy of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture believes sticking to a 4-3-3 formation gives Bafana a real chance of progressing out of the group.
“We are pleading with the coach, I mean my opinion, play with a back-four,” said Khanye on iDiski TV.
“Play [Aubrey] Modiba, play [Khuliso] Mudau, play [Mbekezeli] Mbokazi and I think with [Olwethu] Makhanya. There’s no problem with having two centre-backs.
“Play Tebza [Teboho Mokoena] as a defensive midfielder not as an eight because Tebza can’t create. Tebza is a top player, but when you play him according to his strength, when you play him deep, he is something else.
“Then play Jayden Adams with Thalente Mbatha. Also play Rele [Relebohile Mofokeng] on the left cutting in, [Oswin] Appollis can play half-wing and then go with [Iqraam] Rayners, simple.
“It’s difficult because we have already lost and minus two goals and we never scored. I remain positive and I have hope and belief in the players because there’s a third best option [to qualify for second round].
“The problem is that in South Africa we hype players and it’s very important to play international football like COSAFA, the Olympics. Those tournaments help psychologically and getting rid of stage fright because what I realised is that we were beaten psychologically [against Mexico]. You can’t play with talent only here.”
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