Bafana Bafana News Today: Benni gives Broos advice, Mayambela on why back five favours SA & more

Latest news about Bafana Bafana, including Benni McCarthy’s advice to coach Hugo Broos and why Mark Mayambela thinks South Africa should play with a back five.

Benni tells Broos to put ego aside

‎Bafana legend Benni McCarthy has told coach Hugo Broos to put his ego aside when it comes to selecting his squad for the World Cup.

‎McCarthy, who has been critical of Broos for overlooking ‘deserving’ players like Brandon Petersen and Gift Links, hopes Broos will ultimately get it right at the World Cup.

‎”Does it even come close to mentioning, maybe coach’s preference? But man, at the end of the day, you put your pride and ego aside and reward people on merit,” McCarthy said on Sporty TV as per Pulse Sports Kenya.

‎”I feel that it was a hard one, but other than that, he has used the players he has selected throughout the campaign.”

‎Mayambela on why back five favours Bafana

‎Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Mark Mayambela feels coach Hugo Broos was right to include 11 defenders in his World Cup squad because a five-man defence could help them contain their rivals as opposed to the back four.

‎”If you look at the technical component, most of the goals are scored from transitions, the game is quicker, the players are quicker, so it means if we don’t have a good rest defence, if our base is not good enough, for me we’re going to struggle,” Mayambela said on Izinja zeGame podcast as quoted by KickOff.

‎”If we push both full backs high, we’re gonna be vulnerable at the back, hence I still have this mind of maybe playing five at the back. I’m not saying it’s going to happen, what will be important is how ‘Tebza’ (Teboho Mokoena) operates in midfield.”

Broos happy SA are ‘weakest’ team in Group A

Hugo Broos says he's happy people are saying Bafana Bafana are the weakest team in group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup! 🇿🇦⚽️#ForTheBettor #10BetBafana #ItWontLetYouDown #ShieldIsNowRexona pic.twitter.com/25wdS36zB5

— SoccerBeat (@SoccerBeatZA) June 8, 2026

Coach Hugo Broos feels it is a good thing that South Africa are considered the whipping boys in Group A at the World Cup.

Bafana have Mexico, Czechia and South Korea in their group and many feel they are the underdog who the rest will pick points from.

“I am very happy with it, that they think we are the weakest team,” Broos told the media in Mexico.