South Africa’s coach asks his critics to “silence” before the second match of the World Cup | World Cup 2026 news
“I never listen to social media rubbish,” says Hugo Bros ahead of Bafana Bafana’s match against Czechia.
Published on June 18, 2026
South Africa coach Hugo Bruce told critics of his tactics in last week’s World Cup opener to “shut up” and insisted he would continue to do things his way when planning his side’s match. The first group match against the Czechs.
There was a huge uproar in South Africa when Bruce took a rare defensive approach in the opening match of the tournament against Mexico last Thursday, which his team played against. Lost 2-0 Without creating any real opportunities of their own.
Bafana Bafana, as the South African team is known, finished the match with nine men, with two players sent off in the second half, and they left little positive impression.
“I’ve been a coach for 40 years, and I know it’s part of my job that you’re going to get criticized. Right now, I’m getting criticized, but people have to know… and for those who still don’t know it… I do it my way,” Bruce said in a news conference on Wednesday.
“I never listen to social media rubbish. I never listen to people who feel they are important enough to criticize the team. When I look at what they have achieved before, I think it is better for them to shut up,” he said, referring to critics of former players.
Bruce repeated: “I know what went wrong against Mexico. The players know it, and that is the most important thing. As for the rest, I will do it my way.”
The veteran Belgian coach said it was necessary for South Africa to win on Thursday in Atlanta to have any chance of qualifying. The Czech Republic also lost its first match in Group A to South Korea last week.
“I think our situation is clear. If we don’t win tomorrow, we will play our last match against South Korea for nothing.
“This is something we have to avoid. We know the mistakes we made in the first game, and Some said the coach is too lenient with his players, but I don’t like blaming my players in front of the camera. So, sometimes you have to lie a little bit as a coach.”
Bruce said after the Mexico match that he felt his team could feel confident after the performance, which sparked ridicule from some South African fans.
“We know what went wrong in the match against Mexico, and we will try to improve that tomorrow, but we can only improve that if we have possession,” he added, giving an idea of the possibility of a different tactical approach on Thursday.
