Eric Tinkler advises Bafana Bafana to adopt a more attacking approach and start matches stronger to beat South Korea and keep their World Cup campaign alive. Picture BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
It’s no secret that Bafana Bafana have started poorly in both of their Fifa World Cup matches so far, conceding within the first 10 minutes against both Mexico and Czechia.
Bafana lost their Group A opener 2-0 to co-hosts Mexico on June 11 before rallying to salvage a 1-1 draw against Czechia a week later.
The results have left South Africa precariously placed with just one group match remaining.
That match comes against a well-drilled South Korea side. Bafana remain bottom of Group A with a goal difference of minus two. They are level on points with Czechia, who have a superior goal difference of minus one. South Korea sit second on three points, while Mexico top the group on six.
Eric Tinkler, a member of Bafana’s 1996 Afcon-winning squad, believes South Africa need to start much stronger if they are to keep their World Cup campaign alive.
“I felt it started poorly again [against Czechia]. We were poor in terms of organisation when they scored,” Tinkler told SportsBoom.co.za.
“There wasn’t enough penetration or movement between the lines. It was only in the 43rd minute that [Thapelo] Maseko managed to get behind the defence and show his strength, and that is not good enough. It only changed when Mofokeng came on at halftime. He gave us more going forward and we dominated after that.”
Tinkler also urged Bafana to adopt a more attacking approach.
“We needed to start the way we finished. Czechia were vulnerable and this was a game we should have won. From the start, our set-up in midfield limited us.
“We started with three defensive midfielders: [Teboho] Mokoena, [Thalente] Mbatha and [Jayden] Adams. I thought we needed a more offensive player operating close to Rayners. Themba Zwane would have been an obvious choice, but he was suspended.
“I felt Mofokeng did well in that position when he came on and gave us more going forward. We will take the draw, but it is not enough. This is a game we should have won. Czechia were there for the taking.”