Predicted Bafana XI vs Mexico: A few surprises loading?
· The South African
Bafana boss Hugo Broos has several selection headaches before he picks a side to face Mexico. It’s a huge World Cup opener.
Likely Bafana XI to start against Mexico in World Cup opener
Williams; Mudau, Ndamane, Mbokazi, Modiba; Sithole, Mokoena; Moremi, Mbatha, Mofokeng; Foster
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Young defenders keep the veterans on their toes
Aubrey Modiba is carrying a knock, but there are hopes that the Sundowns man will be fit to start. Conventional wisdom suggests that manager Hugo Broos will opt for his clubmate Khuliso Mudau on the other side of defence. In the centre, it’s widely expected that 20-year-old Chicago Fire star Mbekezeli Mbokazi will start on the left of the pairing. Khulumani Ndamane, rather than Ime Okon, could partner him. 22-year-old Philadelphia Union man Olwethu Makhanya is also an option there.
Midfield and attack need to click
In midfield, Broos must find a way to accommodate Sphephelo Sithole and Teboho Mokoena at the base of the engine room without being too conservative. Thalente Mbatha could operate in the box-to-box role, with Tshepang Moremi and Rele Mofokeng drifting into wider areas. Pirates star Mofokeng loves to occupy false 9/number 10 positions, which suits focal point striker Lyle Foster just fine. The Burnley man is an expert at running the channels and dragging defenders into places they don’t want to be.
Mexico vs Bafana at World Cups: Part 2
Mexico and South Africa will kick the 2026 World Cup off at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the scene of Diego Maradona’s iconic ‘Hand of God’ goal in 1986 against England.
Incidentally, these sides also played the opening match of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the first showpiece of its kind hosted on African soil.
Co-hosts Mexico, ranked 15th in the world by FIFA, will be eager to get their campaign off to a winning start against a Bafana Bafana side ranked 60th-best on the planet.
Mexico vs South Africa kicks off on Thursday, 11 June at 21:00 (SA time). Bafana then meet the Czech Republic in Atlanta on 18 June at 18:00 and South Korea in Monterrey on 25 June at 03:00.
What’s your favoured starting XI to face Mexico? Let us know by clicking the comments tab below 🙂