Matthew Booth rallies behind Bafana Bafana to beat Czechia

"I think we need to return to our old system of 4-3-3 and utilise the very young, good attacking players that we used to qualify," Booth told Sportsboom.

"The likes of Relebohile Mofokeng, Tshepang Moremi, and Kamogelo Sebelebele all offer so much, and I couldn't understand why they were not utilised in the first game. Unfortunately, we took a very defensive, negative attitude, and that's not us, that's not the way that we play."

Booth was as surprised as most of the nation with Broos' decision to play a 5-3-2 formation against Mexico in the opening match. It was a move that simply didn't pay off as a listless Bafana lost 2-0 to the host nation.

Czechia also lost their opening Group A match, going down 2-1 to South Korea, leaving Thursday's game basically a must win for both sides.

"I've only seen him play that (5-3-2) system twice. Last time they played with that system was when they got knocked out of the last AFCON. And it didn't work then either," he added.

"I can understand from a surprise point of view why he would have attempted that. But to do it at this stage of the World Cup, I feel, was a big, big risk and it did not work.

"The overall performance was quite embarrassing if I'm honest. They played such good football to qualify for this World Cup. So, to put in this performance when the global audience is watching was very, very unfortunate."

The Bafana legend believes that it is up to the coaching staff and the senior players to pick up morale for a game he thinks Bafana can win.