Rudolph Speid has expressed concerns about the performance of Bafana Bafana ahead of their World Cup opening match against Mexico this Thursday. Following a recent friendly international, Speid noted that the South African team was not as convincing as expected, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
The friendly was played at Estadio Hidalgo, but there were conflicting reports regarding the final score, with some sources claiming that Bafana Bafana won 1-0. The match took place behind closed doors, with no media or fans present.
Speid commented on the team’s performance, saying, “I think they were playing within themselves,” suggesting that players might have been cautious to avoid injury while trying to impress the coach. He emphasized the challenge they will face at the iconic Azteca Stadium, where they will encounter a passionate crowd of 123,000 Mexican fans.
He further stated, “They’ll probably overload it… they’re going to be pressing high up the pitch, especially in the first half.” According to Speid, while the relentless pressure will be intense initially, it is expected to ease as the match progresses.