5 factors Bafana have to get over to beat South Korea
by Thato Bosoga · KickOffWith Bafana Bafana taking on South Korea on Thursday morning in a decisive World Cup encounter, Kickoff.com highlighted five factors that Hugo Broos' charges have to pay special attention to ahead of the game.
Lapse of concentration
With most Bafana players plying their trade locally, teams can get away with lapses of concentration early in the game, as there is always a chance to come back or the opposition do not take their chances. Unfortunately not at this level.
South Africa could have got better results if they did not concede inside the first ten minutes against Mexico and Czechia. With hydration breaks in each half, getting to half-time without conceding gives you a big chance in the game, especially as an underdog.
Midfield combination
There are suggestions that head coach Hugo Broos should consider tinkering his midfield by experimenting with the likes of Mbekezeli Mbokazi, in the absence of the suspended Teboho Mokoena.
However, experimenting at this level could come at a high cost. Even though Sphephelo Sithole made big mistakes against Mexico, he deserves to be given the benefit of the doubt, should he start alongside either or both, Thalente Mbatha and Jayden Adams.
The big question, however, is, is there depth on the bench?
Who will start upfront?
Both Lyle Foster and Iqraam Rayners have started at this World Cup, without catching the eye but Bafana have looked more threatening and created better chances whenever Evidence Makgopa was introduced from the bench against both Mexico and Czechia.
A good reference for Makgopa, also, is that he was leading the attack in the 2023/24 Africa Cup of Nations, where South Africa clinched a bronze medal but Bafana were not the same with Foster reinstated as first choice striker in the 2025 AFCON.
Can Bafana come out of their shell against a deep-lying defence?
South Africa struggled to create chances against Czechia, who mainly sat back with numbers and were looking for chances on counter-attacks and set-pieces.
With Themba Zwane still suspended, other attackers have to rise to the occasion and take the responsibility of unlocking defences, as, at this level, there's not going to be too many chances for a team to come to the party.
Confidence in building from the back
After two costly mistakes against Mexico, building from the back, were punished, the confidence in the team coming out from the back could have been rattled.
There is already uneasiness from supporters, whenever goalkeeper Ronwen Williams slows down the game and plays balls through the middle.
South Korea is a ball-playing team and given their natural endurance, their pressing could be relentless. The confidence levels on the ball have to rise, especially with Mokoena suspended.