Bafana Bafana players have been criticized by Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Miguel Cardoso, for not playing for themselves in the World Cup because their level is no different from those who play in leagues that are considered to be hundreds of in the world.
Cardoso expressed his confidence in Hugo Broos’ Bafana as they go to the World Cup.
Broos’ team is two months away from the start of the World Cup where they are drawn in Group A with other hosts Mexico, South Korea and the Czech Republic.
According to Cardoso, who is originally from Portugal, there is no difference between the international players and the Bafana players, because Sundowns made this clear at the Fifa Club World Cup in June last year in the United States (USA).
In this competition, Sundowns made history by winning 1-0 against Ulsan HD from South Korea in the first match, they tied 0-0 with Fluminense from Brazil, before losing 4-3 in the match that is still being talked about against Borussia Dortmund from Germany.
Bafana’s overpowering of Sundowns players, Cardoso sees it as a key weapon for Broos because this team from Chloorkop has already given him a reputation in world football.
“The whole world understands that South African football is at a high level following its recent clash, like the way Sundowns played in the FIFA Club World Cup,” said Cardoso.
“They had questions about what we will do when we face the world players and they got their answers during the competition.
“There is a lot where we still have to strengthen but I think it should work as an incentive for the Bafana players that there is no need to doubt themselves.
“There is not much that Bafana players need in the World Cup except to come together as a team and try to avoid mistakes, never doubting themselves because the whole world now understands how much talent there is in South African football,” said Cardoso.
According to Broos, Bafana should still get at least one strong training match next month before the start of the tournament which will be hosted by Mexico, Canada and the USA in cooperation from June 11.