Lyle Foster and 19 locals boost Bafana World Cup hopes
Lyle Foster and Bafana Bafana’s 19 locally based players have drawn fresh attention before their World Cup opener. Emmanuel Petit says that mix could make South Africa a surprise package, even with a lack of big names and tournament mileage.
Petit backs Bafana’s core
The former Fifa World Cup winner pointed to the squad’s local base as a strength. Many of Bafana Bafana’s locally based players come from Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, and Petit said that familiarity can help in a major competition.
“Collectively and technically, I think this team has improved a lot and the fact that they know each other very well is something very important when you play in a major competition like this,” Petit said speaking with BetVictor Live Casino. He added that Bafana are “probably missing experience and big names capable of making a difference on the pitch, but collectively and technically they can be a surprise package in this group.”
Lyle Foster gives Bafana a focal point
Petit singled out Foster as the side’s main attacking threat. “When I look at South Africa, the spine of the team comes from a single club and they have one really good striker, Lyle Foster. He plays in the Premier League and previously played in Belgium,” he said.
That leaves Hugo Broos with a squad built around players who already know each other well, but with the burden of turning that cohesion into points against more experienced opposition. Mexico, the opener at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, is one of those tests.
Mexico opens the route
The first match kicks off at 9pm SA time, and Petit said the opening result will shape the rest of the group. “The first game is always very important. Even if you finish third in a group, you still have a chance to qualify,” he said.
The new 48-team format sends the top two teams in every group through, along with the eight best third-placed teams. Petit said that gives Bafana a wider path if they can stay alive after Mexico, with Czechia and Korea Republic still to come. “That increases the chances for every single team. Mexico is a very experienced World Cup nation. Even if South Africa lose, they have to show fight,” he said.
“Then the second game will be against Czechia and then Korea Republic. That’s why I think even if they lose the first game against Mexico, they still have a chance to grab points in the remaining matches or even pull off a surprise win against Czechia,” Petit added.
