Former Bafana Bafana stars have urged national team coach Hugo Broos to abandon his cautious tactics and show greater belief in his players ahead of South Africa’s crucial World Cup group clash against Czechia in Atlanta.

The criticism has been led by Teko Modise, the former Bafana midfielder who starred at the 2010 World Cup and is now a television analyst. Speaking in the SuperSport studio after South Africa’s 2-0 defeat to Mexico, Modise challenged Broos’ assessment that his side had “played a good game” despite the loss and the surprise use of a 5-3-2 formation.

Modise questioned both the selection and the message coming from the bench, particularly the omission of creative attackers Oswin Appollis and Relebohile Mofokeng in favour of a more defensive shape.

“You were the one that put this eleven, this system, all together,” Modise said. “You can’t come out and tell us as a country that things have been well. Which game were you watching? Once we conceded that goal, we consistently struggled in terms of playing. You have the players that are able to play, and yet again you still have five at the back in the second half… hoping.”

Modise’s frustration was echoed by former Bafana forward Kermit Erasmus, who took issue with Broos’ public suggestion that the intensity of the World Cup might be beyond what many of his players experience at club level. Posting on X, Erasmus argued that such comments risk undermining the squad’s confidence at a time when they most need backing from their coach.

“Even if it’s true that the level is too high, how do you say that for the world to know?” Erasmus wrote. “The World Cup just started. We can’t believe in our boys more than you.”

Luvuyo Memela, another ex-international, added his voice by contrasting Bafana’s approach with that of other African sides. Praising Cape Verde’s fearless display in a goalless draw against Spain, he lamented that South Africa appeared more focused on avoiding defeat than expressing their own identity.

“All the African teams I have watched so far are playing their style of play – unlike us,” Memela said on Instagram. “We’re worrying about losing, when we know we’ve got only three games guaranteed. One down, two to go. It’s better to lose a fight on our two feet than being on our knees. Come on, Coach. It’s your last dance – handbrake down.”

Broos, who has generally enjoyed strong public support during his tenure, now finds himself under rare pressure. With South Africa still chasing a first-ever appearance in the World Cup knockout stages, the clash with Czechia is being framed as a test not only of the team’s quality, but of the coach’s willingness to trust his players and release the handbrake.