Former Super Eagles and Enyimba International goalkeeper Idah Peterside has highlighted the faults South Africa must avoid against Czechia in the second FIFA World Cup group stage game, Soccernet.ng reports.
Bafana Bafana opened the 2026 Copa Mundial at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City three days ago, but got easily dismantled by the host nation, falling to goals from Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez.
Things got worse for Hugo Broos men in the second half when Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio gave marching orders to Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane, although at different intervals.
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2026 World Cup: Peterside warns Bafana Bafana ahead of Czechia clash
South Africa's loss to Mexico puts them at the bottom of Group A, with Mexico City and South Korea joint-top with three points each.
Bafana Bafana will play against Czechia on Thursday, and Peterside, who spent a huge part of his playing career in South Africa, has told the team what to look out for, specifically calling for calm nerves against Mirosslav Koubek's men after they were jittery against El Tri.
“First games are never easy because you have seven, eight billion people watching,” Peterside told Footy-Africa.
“The pressure, the tension. Most of these players are home-based players. They don’t play in the big leagues in Europe; they play for Sundowns, Chiefs and Pirates. I think it affected them a little bit.”
The 52-year-old also warned the one-time AFCON Champions against letting the loss from their first 2026 FIFA World Cup game weigh them down mentally.
“It’s psychological. They need to believe. Before this World Cup everybody knew South Africa had a good team,” the two-cap Super Eagles goalkeeper continued.
“They were playing well and doing well in friendly games.
“I think they need a psychologist. Somebody needs to tweak their mind. They need a psychological switch.”
While they looked lacklustre and passive against Mexico, Peterside urged Hugo Broos to instil a clear tactical plan in the squad, or else they'll face tougher challenges against South Korea and Czechia.
“Korea will be very difficult to beat,” he said.
“The Czech people are Europeans. They are quick, they are fast, and their players are 6’4 and 6’5. The South Africans are smaller.”
“They need to plan very well, or else, once they lose the next game, they are back home,” the footballer turned pundit concluded.
The kick-off for the game between South Africa and Czechia is scheduled for 5:00 PM WAT.
