Mokoena adamant Bafana Bafana not feeling pressure despite ‘7% chance’ to beat Mexico in World Cup opener: ‘We must have no regrets’

Bafana Bafana and Mexico lock horns on Thursday, June 11, in the 2026 FIFA World Cup opener to be staged at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

The two nations are targeting a positive outing to stand a chance of advancing from Group A, which also includes the Czech Republic and South Korea. The last time the two nations met was in the historic 2010 edition held in South Africa, which ended 1-1.

🚨 IT’S MATCHDAY !! 🇿🇦🚨
⚽ Mexico vs Bafana Bafana
📅 Thursday, 11 June 2026
​🏟️ Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
🕕 Kick-off: 21:00 (SA Time)
🖥 SABC + & SABC 1

​#BafanaPride@adidasfootball @adidasZA @REXONA_SA @StandardBankZA @10bet_ZA @flysaa @CastleLagerSA @CocaCola_ZA… pic.twitter.com/nfYZ2VUduw

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) June 11, 2026

El Tri come into the match as favourites since they will be playing in a stadium packed with their supporters. However, Bafana Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena insists they are ready to cause an upset by getting a good result to stand a chance of making ot out of the pool.

The 29-year-old further explained how fans at home have been encouraging the players ahead of the highly anticipated outing.

Bafana Bafana not feeling the pressure

“The expectations are very high. It’s going to be an amazing game with an amazing atmosphere. As a team, we are looking forward to it and we are excited. We know what it means back home and what it means to us, so we can’t wait,” Mokoena told Afrik-Foot in a presser.

“Not much, to be honest. I only really remember Tshabalala’s goal because I was still very young at the time. No, we haven’t spoken much about the 2010 World Cup. We know our history and we know that our country has never reached the knockout stages.

“Even if the probabilities say we only have a seven percent chance of progressing or winning tomorrow, we don’t feel pressure. Mexico are the hosts and naturally there is pressure on them as well. We have prepared well for this game and we are just looking forward to it.

“We have adjusted well. We’ve been here for a few days and we are in good shape for tomorrow’s game,” the Mamelodi Sundowns star continued.

We must not regret

“As a team, we are gaining experience every day. For all of us, this is our first World Cup. The coach has been here before as a player and now he is back as a coach. We want to enjoy the experience, but enjoying it also means being competitive and giving ourselves a chance of reaching the next round. I told the guys in a team meeting that we must enjoy the experience, but when we go home we must have no regrets. We have to give everything and leave nothing behind. We are excited — you can see it on our faces,” the midfielder continued.

“For myself and for the team, we are not too concerned about the practice matches. When we look at the teams in our group, many of them play with five at the back, while we don’t. We have analysed them, watched their games and we know what to expect. It’s going to be tough and it’s difficult to predict who will beat whom. We just have to show up and perform.

“Thank you to our supporters. They have been sending us messages of encouragement and many people have travelled here to support us. I would also like to thank our minister, Mr Gayton McKenzie, for the support he has given the team and for helping bring supporters to Mexico. We ask everyone to keep supporting us and believing in us.

“It’s a dream come true for everyone. We want to show the world what we are capable of. We are looking forward to the game and we are excited. It’s an honour to represent our country on the biggest stage. We’re just excited and can’t wait to get started,” Mokoena concluded.