Former Pirates player Michael Morton calls Bafana display under Broos ‘probably the worst’

Former Orlando Pirates player Michael Morton criticised Bafana Bafana’s tactics and the decision to leave Oswin Appollis on the bench after South Africa’s 2-0 loss to Mexico at Estadio Azteca on Thursday, calling it “probably the worst performance” under coach Hugo Broos.

Morton: tactics offered little going forward

Morton, who attended the match, said the team’s defensive formation limited South Africa’s attacking chances and left supporters frustrated. He described the setup as a 3-5-2 chosen “obviously setting up to try and get a point” and said the approach meant the side “didn’t really have a full go.”

Early setback and substitutions

Morton said conceding early disrupted the game plan and highlighted the late introduction of Oswin Appollis, who came on in the 76th minute when South Africa were already trailing 2-0 and reduced to 10 men. On Appollis he said:

“One of our best players, for me, Oswin Appollis, who has been our best player over the last two years, doesn’t start the game. He hardly touches the field.”

Frustration felt by fans, says Morton

Speaking as he left the stadium, Morton said the result and performance left South Africans “filled with anger and disappointment.” He added:

“That literally couldn’t have gone any worse. Probably the worst performance from Bafana under Hugo Broos, which is just so disappointing given the occasion.”

Morton expressed empathy for fans watching from home, saying:

“I can imagine everybody at home was just as frustrated. To come all this way, on the biggest stage, with 80,000 people in the stadium and the whole world watching, and we don’t have a go.”

What Morton singled out

• He criticised the conservative 3-5-2 formation.
• He pointed to the early conceded goal undermining the plan.
• He was disappointed Appollis started on the bench and only entered late.