Broos Criticizes Bafana’s Weak Showing in 1-1 Draw with Jamaica in 2026 World Cup Qualifier

South Africa’s senior men’s national team coach Hugo Broos voiced his disappointment with the performance of Bafana Bafana after their 1‑1 friendly draw with Jamaica on Saturday.

The match, played in Pachuca, Mexico, was part of the team’s preparations for the World Cup. Lyle Foster gave Bafana an early lead, but Dwayne Atkinson equalised for Jamaica.

Following the game, Broos said the squad would work hard in the coming days, noting he was not satisfied with what he saw at Estadio Hidalgo. “The performance was not what I expected. I think we have to analyse the game very well and see what was really wrong and try to make it better in the next few days so that we are ready for the first game against Mexico,” he said.

“I thought we were close to where I want the team to be before the opening match, but again, it was, for me, a disappointing game this afternoon. So, yes, I have to look at what went wrong.”

“I think it was also a matter of mentality. We have to do more, much more, than what we did this afternoon to have good results in the World Cup in the next few weeks.”

Jamaica coach Rudolph Speid countered that Bafana Bafana had held back during the encounter.

Also Read: AFCON 2025: South Africa Ready To Compete For Title — Broos

“As it relates to South Africa, I think they were playing within themselves, because probably, you know, players don’t want to get injured and everybody wants to impress the coach,” Speid said.

“I didn’t think they were going for it as much as they could have. But playing against Mexico in the Azteca Stadium in the opening match of the World Cup, there’s going to be 123,000 screaming Mexicans in there, I can tell you. They’ll probably overload it, they’re going to be pressing high up the pitch, especially in the first half. They’re going to be pressing very high in the first half, relentless pressing, but of course, the pressure will ease as the game goes along.”