Bafana Bafana's all-time leading goalscorer Benni McCarthy.
Image: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy questioned coach Hugo Broos’ failure to use his “flair players” in the Fifa 2026 World Cup 2-0 opening defeat to hosts Mexico on Thursday evening.
Broos opted for a conservative approach, leaving Orlando Pirates attacking duo Oswin Appollis and Relebohile Mofokeng on the bench for the opening game, and choosing instead to start Lyle Foster and Iqraam Rayners up front.
Appollis had been Bafana’s most potent attacking threat, scoring four goals during the Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign, and a further goal against Panama in the friendly at Moses Mabhida Stadium back at the end of March.
However, the Pirates winger was only introduced with 13 minutes remaining at the Estadio Azteca, while his Bucs teammate Mofokeng — arguably the Betway Premiership Player of the Year — was not even called upon.
“We already started off so negative with a defensive shape, and leaving two players up front. So the two players are supposed to play against their back four, and the two midfielders that are incoming,” McCarthy, who is Bafana’s all-time leading goalscorer, told SportyTV.
“Because, like, right from the off, we had Lyle, who was in the opposition half, and Iqraam, and every other single player was in our own half. So when were we going to get out of our half, you understand?
“I hope they go and they analyse this game properly, where it went wrong, and then we don't deprive ourselves as a nation, having all our flair players not getting even an opportunity to play.
“You know, when the game is over and then you bring in players, that's going to do absolutely nothing. So, I think he got it totally wrong.”
He also believed that Bafana played into Mexico’s hands by gifting them the opening goal when goalkeeper Ronwen Williams played a pass to Sphephelo Sithole, who was dispossessed on the edge of his own penalty area, which allowed Julián Quiñones to deliver the first punch.
“We take up a good position, trying to play out from the back, but then, just look at that. It's almost like Mexico set up that trap for us to play there,” said McCarthy.
“And then if you're going to, and for Ronwen's sake, if you're going to play there, make sure that the player is aware of what's going on behind him.
“You know, you go one-nil down in that crucial stage, and then it's just downhill from there.”
The former Blackburn Rovers, FC Porto, Celta Vigo, and Ajax Amsterdam striker, however, does not believe Bafana’s World Cup campaign is over, as they can strike back in their next match against Czechia, who also lost 2-1 to South Korea on the night.
“It's a hard one to take. A lot of mistakes were made, so hopefully, we need to win one of the two games left, because the third-place [team] can still go through, so there is an opportunity,” he said.