‘Which game were you watching?’ - Teko Modise slams Broos over ‘good game’ claim

Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Teko Modise has hit out at coach Hugo Broos for his poor management of the game against Mexico when South Africa lost their World Cup opener.

Broos’ men lost 2-0 and ended the game with nine men after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off but his decision to play with a back five backfired as it stifled his team.

If anything, the system exposed Bafana Bafana’s weakness, while there was no service to the two strikers. Broos also took long before making changes with his first substitution coming after they had gone a goal and a man down while two more were made after conceding the second.

Raul Jimenez heads home Mexico's second goal against South Africa. — Raul Jimenez heads home Mexico’s second goal against South Africa. Image: Imago

Bafana coach saw plenty of positives

Still, Broos felt his team played well. “I think my team played a good game,” the Belgian coach told the media after the match.

“At times, Mexico looked desperate; they couldn’t find any space. The only thing we must improve in the next game is our play when we have the ball. We weren’t very good with that today, and it’s something we have to work on.”

Those sentiments left Modise furious with the ex-Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns star hitting out at Broos for employing a causal approach towards a high stakes game.

Teko Modise has criticised Bafana coach Hugo Broos. Image: IMAGO

Modise dismisses Broos’ assessment

“You were the one that put this 11, this system all together,” Modise said on SuperSport TV. “You can’t come out and tell us as a country that things have been well. Which game were you watching?”

“Of course, you did not do that intentionally, but once we conceded that goal, we consistently struggled in terms of playing. You have the players that are able to play and yet again you still have five at the back in the second half…hoping,” a disappointed Modise further stated, while slamming Broos for failing to make changes when there was still a lot to play for.

Sphephelo Sithole cheaply lost the ball, leading to Mexico's first goal. — Sphephelo Sithole cheaply lost the ball, leading to Mexico’s first goal. Image: Imago

“I remember at some point later in the first half, I was like; ‘hey, can this halftime come through so that we can make changes.’ But he [Broos] still didn’t, which means he was hoping for the draw.

“We never played or went out to try and win the game,” explained Modise.