File: Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos speaks during a press conference at the Azteca Stadium, also known as Mexico City Stadium, in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo by Eyepix / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP
ATLANTA - Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has hit back at criticism from pundits and on social media following Bafana Bafana’s disappointing start to the World Cup.
South Africa’s 2-0 defeat to co-hosts Mexico sparked widespread debate over the team’s tactics and approach.
Broos, however, remains focused on the task at hand as his side looks to revive its campaign against the Czech Republic tonight.
"I know there is a side to your job that you are criticised. So for the moment I'm criticised, but people have to know, for those who still don't know it, I do it my way. And I never listen to the trash on social media," Broos said.
"I never listen to people who sometimes think that they are important and have to criticise the team. So when I'm going to see what they did before, I think it would be better if they shut up. So again, I know what went wrong."
READ: Bafana Bafana arrive in Atlanta ahead of Czechia clash
South Africa will be in search of redemption when they take on Czechia following their World Cup opening-match defeat to co-hosts Mexico.
But both sides go into Thursday’s match with some level of desperation, after Czechia also fell short 2-1 in their opener with South Korea.
Bafana and Czechia are meeting at the World Cup for the first time.
Their only previous encounter came in the 1997 Confederations Cup, which ended in a 2-2 draw.