Khune backs Mbokazi to ‘pocket’ Mexico dangerman as he predicts World Cup opener

Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs legend Itumeleng Khune has weighed in on how he feels South Africa will cope with Mexico in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup.

Hugo Broos’ men will take on co-hosts Mexico at this year’s tournament, facing off in the opening game, 16 years after doing the same when South Africa hosted the 2010 World Cup, a match that ended 1-1.

Mexico will not just be buoyed by their home fans but also have quality players led by striker Raul Jimenez, who plays for English Premier League side Fulham.

Jimenez is a highly experienced striker who has scored 44 goals in 123 matches for Mexico and will be playing at his fourth World Cup this year.

Why Khune has confident in Mbokazi

Khune, however, feels Mbekezeli Mbokazi is good enough to keep the 35-year-old forward quiet and all Bafana will be focused on are the other players, including teen sensation Gilberto Mora, who will be the youngest player at this year’s World Cup aged 17 years and 240 days when the tournament kicks off on June 11.

“We just need to be careful of Raul Jimenez who plays for Fulham. I think if our defenders, I know we have TLB [Mbokazi] there at the back, he will put him in his pocket,” Khune told the media.

𝐊𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐞: 𝐓𝐋𝐁 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐏𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐉𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐳 😅😅😅

Former Bafana International Itu Khune says he knows Mbekezeli Mbokazi will POCKET danger man Raul Jimenez of Mexico 🇲🇽 😅

Adding, a draw wouldn’t be a bad result against them on the 11th🇿🇦#BafanaBafana #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/qv6MYKuD94

— Karabo Selebalo Phasha (@TheeSportsGuy01) June 3, 2026

“Once we close him down, and they said there is a 17-year-old wonder boy [Mora]. I think we also need to be wary of him.”

Khune is drawing confidence from the 1-1 draw with Mexico 16 years ago and feels another stalemate is the best possible result for South Africa given their recent struggles against North American teams.

What is Bafana legend’s prediction?

“But again, 16 years ago, we played Mexico in the opening match [of 2010 World Cup] and we managed to draw 1-1 so even a draw won’t be bad for the first game because you can see how Bafana Bafana have been struggling to beat countries coming from North America, Nicaragua and Panama,” he added.

“We played three games, we could not beat those countries,” said the ex-Bafana Bafana captain, referring to the 1-1 draw and 2-1 loss to Panama in March as well as last week’s goalless stalemate with Nicaragua.

Bafana Bafana arrived in Mexico on Tuesday and have started their preparations ahead of their World Cup opener against Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium.