Our gamers are nippy and have a number of talent. I feel now we have to play to the strengths of our gamers,” he mentioned.
Former Bafana Bafana assistant coach Owen Da Gama has urged South Africa to stay to their strengths after they face South Korea of their ultimate Group A match on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Bafana’s hopes of reaching the Spherical of 32 grasp by a thread following a defeat to Mexico and a draw in opposition to Czechia of their opening two matches.
Hugo Broos’ facet should safe victory at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe on Thursday to face any probability of progressing.
Talking on Radio 2000, Da Gama mentioned South Africa ought to give attention to their technical qualities quite than making an attempt to match their opponents bodily.
“We don’t have a number of bodily gamers. Our gamers are nippy and have a number of talent. I feel now we have to play to the strengths of our gamers,” he mentioned.
“I nonetheless consider (Relebohile) Mofokeng is an unbelievable participant and (Oswin) Appollis has proved himself. (Thapelo) Maseko and (Tshepang) Moremi are fast and so they can get behind gamers. We will’t be getting bodily with groups.
“We simply must hold the ball and transfer shortly. That’s our sort of sport and I consider that’s how we must be taking part in and we confirmed that in our final sport in opposition to Czechia.”
‘Bafana have to face sturdy oppositions’
There was debate over whether or not the magnitude of the World Cup has affected Bafana, who’re showing on the match for the primary time since internet hosting it in 2010.
Forward of the competitors, SAFA organized pleasant matches in opposition to Panama, Nicaragua and Jamaica. Nonetheless, Da Gama believes South Africa would have benefited from dealing with stronger opposition in preparation for soccer’s greatest stage.
“I consider we must be taking part in much more excessive profile video games previous to such a giant match in order that the gamers can get used to it,” he added.
“After this, there shall be one other World Cup, and the likes of Mofokeng will nonetheless be within the combine. I feel we are able to solely get higher in that regard. They are saying publicity drives character.
“We should expose the boys a bit bit extra to most of these video games in order that the BMT (large match temperament) kicks in, we noticed it with Mokoena which is unimaginable.”
Da Gama is one in every of South African soccer’s most revered coaches, having managed greater than 400 PSL matches throughout his profession. The 64-year-old additionally guided South Africa’s Beneath-23 facet on the 2016 Olympic Video games in Rio de Janeiro.
