Benni McCarthy criticises Hugo Broos for conservative tactics after Mexico defeat

According to IOL, Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy strongly criticised coach Hugo Broos’ tactical choices after South Africa’s 2-0 opening defeat to Mexico in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying the side had been set up too conservatively and key attacking players were not used.

McCarthy says Broos ‘got it totally wrong’

According to IOL, McCarthy told SportyTV that the team started with “a defensive shape” and left only two players up front, which he argued prevented Bafana from getting out of their own half. He added:

“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. 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.”

Selection choices and unused attacking options

According to IOL, Broos started Lyle Foster and Iqraam Rayners up front while leaving Orlando Pirates attackers Oswin Appollis and Relebohile Mofokeng on the bench. Appollis was introduced with 13 minutes remaining at the Estadio Azteca, and Mofokeng was not used.

According to IOL, Appollis had been Bafana’s most potent attacking threat during qualification, scoring four goals in the FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign and adding a goal against Panama in a friendly at Moses Mabhida Stadium in March.

Turnover led to opening goal, McCarthy says

According to IOL, McCarthy criticised the build-up to Mexico’s opening goal, saying Bafana “played into Mexico’s hands” after goalkeeper Ronwen Williams passed to Sphephelo Sithole, who was dispossessed on the edge of his own penalty area, allowing Julián Quiñones to score.

“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,” McCarthy said, according to IOL. “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.”

McCarthy: campaign not over

According to IOL, McCarthy said he does not believe Bafana’s World Cup campaign is finished and stressed the team still had a chance if they could win one of their remaining two games, noting that the third-place team could still qualify.

What McCarthy’s comments mean

According to IOL, McCarthy’s critique focused on selection and game management: he urged a thorough analysis of where things went wrong and questioned the decision to delay using players he described as flair options until it was too late to affect the result.