World Cup 2026: Former South Africa coach Owen Da Gama defends strikers amid goal drought at tournament

Former South Africa coach Owen Da Gama has stepped in to defend Bafana Bafana’s attacking trio of Iqraam Rayners, Lyle Foster, and Evidence Makgopa following their slow start in front of goal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

Hugo Broos’ side have struggled to convert chances in their opening two Group A matches, with the forwards yet to register a goal from open play. Bafana Bafana opened their campaign with a defeat to Mexico before earning a hard-fought draw against Czechia, where their only goal came from the penalty spot, converted by Teboho Mokoena.

Despite the pressure building on the attacking unit, Da Gama has moved to ease criticism surrounding the strikers, arguing that their performances are being shaped by tactical and structural issues within the team rather than individual shortcomings alone.

He stressed that each of the forwards operates differently at club level and is often deployed in roles that do not fully translate into the national team setup. According to him, this lack of consistency in role definition has impacted their sharpness and effectiveness in front of goal on the international stage.

Da Gama further pointed out that the service into the final third has not been optimal, highlighting that the team’s build-up play, particularly against Mexico, relied heavily on long balls that did little to maximise the strengths of the attacking trio. He noted that while the strikers have worked hard and shown commitment, they have not been provided with enough clear-cut scoring opportunities to make a decisive impact.

Rayners, who has impressed as an impact player at club level, has yet to replicate that influence consistently on the World Cup stage. Foster and Makgopa have also shown flashes of promise, but both have struggled to assert themselves in key attacking moments as Bafana search for a more clinical edge.

Da Gama believes the solution lies not only in improved finishing but also in better creativity and supply from midfield areas, urging the team to find more cohesion in the final third ahead of their crucial final group match.

Bafana Bafana now turn their attention to a decisive Group A clash against South Korea, scheduled for Thursday at 03:00 South African time. The encounter is expected to determine their fate in the tournament, with qualification hopes still hanging in the balance.