Bafana’s Williams reveals ‘you could hear pin drop’ after loss but hurt players ready for Czech

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Bafana’s Williams reveals ‘you could hear pin drop’ after loss but hurt players ready for Czech
Ronwen Williams, Bafana Bafana - Image: IMAGO

Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has conceded the 2-0 defeat to Mexico in the 2026 FIFA World Cup opener badly hurt the players.

South Africa had come into the game hoping to get a positive result against El Tri, but they ended up falling. Currently, they are at the bottom of Group A as South Korea beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in another pool game.

Sphephelo Sithole's mistake allowed Julian Quinones to score Mexico's opener.
Sphephelo Sithole’s mistake allowed Julian Quinones to score Mexico’s opener. Image: Imago

On Thursday, Bafana Bafana hope to get a positive result at Atlanta where they are scheduled to play the Czech Republic. The Mamelodi Sundowns shot stopper is aware of the massive task awaiting the team.

Williams opens up on difficult loss adamant Bafana will deliver

“Of course, it was very difficult. The occasion and the moment affect everyone differently. We didn’t want to concede so early in such a critical phase of the match, and we learned the hard way. It hurt. We’d worked so hard for the opening game and for years to reach this moment, so the performance and result hurt us deeply,” he told Afrik-Foot in a presser.

“For two or three days after the match, you could hear a pin drop in camp. There was a lot of quietness. The guys were in pain. You want to process it, and everyone deals with it differently. We have an experienced coach, and he gave us space.

“But by Monday, it was back to work. We looked at where we went wrong, and most of the guys acknowledged and agreed with the analysis. When we analysed Czechia, we saw the belief return. 

“We don’t want to lose that belief. We’ve worked too hard to get to this World Cup. We know how important tomorrow’s match is. We’ll be ready. It’s going to be difficult. Both countries are in the same situation now and know they can’t afford to drop points. It will be a fight, and we’re ready for it,” the 34-year-old added.

Bafana Bafana are inspiring Mzansi

Williams has further underlined the importance of competing with the best in the world for the first time since 2010, when they hosted the tournament.

“It’s amazing. We worked so hard for this. It wasn’t given to us. It’s been years and years of sacrifice. We kept going and kept believing. 

“When the coach first took over, he promised we’d be at the 2026 World Cup, and we didn’t want to let him down. We’ve worked so hard as a team. We’ve seen what it means for the whole of South Africa to be back at the World Cup. It’s amazing. 

Bafana Bafana lineup ahead of their 2026 World Cup opener against Mexico.
Bafana Bafana lineup ahead of their 2026 World Cup opener against Mexico. Photo: Imago

“We’re inspiring a whole nation. Now it’s about playing our football. The opening game is done. It was very difficult for many reasons, but going into the next two games, we have to be much better. We’ve analysed it, done our homework, and we’re ready for the next game.”

It hurts when criticism comes from fellow professionals

“It hurts when criticism comes from fellow professionals because they know how difficult this game is at the highest level. You can question our performance, but you can’t question our attitude and spirit. We played half the game with a man down against the host nation. That’s not easy. Yet we kept fighting. We didn’t give Mexico much. We showed character. We didn’t give up or feel sorry for ourselves. We kept going,” Williams added.

“We weren’t at our best, but the mentality was right and the boys can be proud of that. We can be disappointed, and rightfully so, but in today’s world everyone is an expert. We have to block out the noise, listen to the coach, listen to the technical team and trust one another. 

Hugo Broos and Ronwen Williams, Bafana Bafana
Hugo Broos and Ronwen Williams, Bafana Bafana – Image: SAFA

“We’ve built trust in our coach, trust in the technical team and trust within the group. The support from the country has been magnificent. We’ve rebuilt a relationship that was once broken. Criticise us if you want, that’s fine, but don’t be disrespectful. When you win, not everything is good. When you lose, not everything is broken. 

“Sport always gives you another opportunity to be better. We’ve had plenty of sessions and opportunities since Mexico to improve. Maybe it was something that had to happen for us to realise what we need to do to become even better in this tournament. We stick together. We’ve had meetings about social media. We block out the noise and try to stay mentally strong,” the CAF Champions League-winning keeper concluded.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

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Willis Sob is a sports betting expert and journalist covering Nigeria and South Africa, with 16 years of experience. With a background in journalism, reporting and programme production, he specialises in football odds, and his work has appeared on OK Africa and GOAL, as well as TV, radio and podcasts.

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