Former PSL coach Cavin Johnson criticizes Bafana Bafana approach in Mexico defeat

The 67-year-old ex-Platinum Stars, SuperSport United, AmaZulu and Black Leopards head coach, who also served as an interim coach of Kaizer Chiefs from October 2023 to July 2024, has been very critical of South Africa's approach to the opening match in Mexico City.

"There was a wrong mentality from the start," said Johnson to Kick Off.

"We knew it was always going to be hostile. If you're playing against a hostile country, then 80 000 people are really going to be against you. It's not like here by us, where we are blowing the vuvuzelas. Those Mexican people are singing, which makes it a little bit difficult."

The former Al Ahly assistant coach also lamented the formation that Hugo Broos opted to use, alluding to the fact that it was too defensive.

"The line-up, to me, was more like the 5-3-2. We had two strikers up front who the ball was not played to. It looked like from the onset we were there to defend," he added.

"Our South African players, it's not easy to re-wire them in three weeks. This teaches us a lesson. So, playing 5-3-2 backfired. There was no creativity."

Bafana will face Czech Republic in a crucial clash at Atlanta Stadium on Thursday.