World Cup 2026: Hugo Broos proud as South Africa keep hopes alive with Czechia draw

South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has praised his players’ character and performance after Bafana Bafana battled to a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic in their second Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The result earned South Africa their first point of the tournament and kept their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive heading into their final group fixture against South Korea.

Bafana entered the match under pressure following their opening 2-0 defeat to Mexico, but produced a spirited response against the Europeans, earning recognition from their experienced Belgian coach.

Reflecting on the performance, Broos said the display against Czechia was a reminder of the qualities that have defined his side in recent years.

“When you see the reaction after the game against Mexico, this is Bafana Bafana. We play good football, we are aggressive, and we create chances,” Broos said after the match.

South Africa showed far greater intensity and confidence than they managed in their tournament opener, matching the Czech Republic throughout a closely contested encounter and creating several opportunities to secure all three points.

Despite his satisfaction with the overall display, Broos admitted his side paid the price for a costly lapse in concentration.

“But you also need a little bit, and we made one mistake,” he added.

The veteran tactician, however, refused to dwell on the disappointment of not claiming victory, choosing instead to focus on the positive response shown by his players.

“But again, I’m very proud of the performance of my team.”

The draw leaves South Africa with one point from two matches in Group A. While qualification remains uncertain, Bafana Bafana still have their destiny in their own hands ahead of a decisive final group-stage clash against South Korea.

A victory in that encounter could be enough to propel South Africa into the knockout rounds, depending on results elsewhere in the group.

For Broos, the display against Czechia offered encouragement that his team can rise to the occasion when the stakes are highest. Having answered criticism following the defeat to Mexico with an energetic and disciplined performance, Bafana will now turn their attention to South Korea knowing another strong display could keep their World Cup dream alive.

The South Africans head into the final round of group matches buoyed by an improved showing and the belief that they remain firmly in contention for a place in the next stage of the tournament.