Do or die for South Africa: Will McCarthy & Co. see some positives or be speechless again?
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 18.06.26. | 13:27
Bafana Bafana face the Czech Republic without two players and with no room for error
It's not fun being among the Bafana Bafana players and fans these days.
The World Cup opener against Mexico exposed all the weaknesses of Hugo Broos' team and, to make matters worse, left them without two players.
Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane, the duo that was sent off against El Tri, have now been handed their suspensions. The former will serve only one match, while the latter has been hit with a three-game ban for slapping an opponent. If Bafana Bafana fail to advance, the opener will remain his only appearance at this World Cup.
âš½ World Cup Watch
— Instant Funding (@InstantFunding_) June 18, 2026
South Africa 🇿🇦 vs Czechia 🇨🇿
A big Group A clash today, with both teams looking to make their moment count.
Football and trading both test focus, discipline and decision-making under pressure.
It’s about preparation, composure and how you respond when the…
Either way, Broos won’t be able to call on either of them for the clash against the Czech Republic (19.00), which could be a do-or-die game for South Africa. In the event of defeat, their chances of progressing will be minimal.
Following the defeat to Mexico, Harambee Stars boss Benni McCarthy and his fellow TV pundits and South African football legends, Quinton Fortune, and Aaron Mokoena, were left speechless. Bafana Bafana players can either make them say something positive today, or go home.
🇿🇦 | Une pensée émue à Benni McCarthy, Quinton Fortune et Aaron Mokoena qui n’avaient pas grand chose à dire après le match des Bafana Bafana. pic.twitter.com/dAF3kE8jN1
— Feuille de Match (@fdematch) June 12, 2026
On the other hand, the Czechs also let their fans down with a 2-1 defeat to South Korea, and now owe them a better performance. For them, the importance of the match in Atlanta is the same as for their rivals, as a loss could send them home, especially given that they face the hosts in the final group-stage round.
South Africa and the Czech Republic have met only once so far, at the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup, when they drew 2-2.
Nevertheless, history will have nothing to do with tonight's match, nor will it decide the winner. It will be about courage, being smart, and handling the pressure. A team that cannot tick those three boxes does not deserve to keep its World Cup dream alive.
WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE (ROUND 2)
Group A
Thursday 18.06.
19.00: (1.80) Czech Republic (3.50) South Africa (4.70)
Friday 19.06.
04.00: (2.10) Mexico (3.30) South Korea (3.70)
***odds are subject to change***