'Play South African football' - Akpeyi sends message to Bafana Bafana coach after defeat to Mexico

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has advised South Africa head coach Hugo Broos to return to the team's traditional style of play as they prepare for a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A encounter against the Czech Republic.

Akpeyi made the recommendation during his post-match analysis on SuperSport, as monitored by allnigeriasoccer.com, following Bafana Bafana's 2-0 defeat to Mexico in their opening game of the tournament.

The retired Nigeria international acknowledged that Broos has assembled a youthful squad but believes the team must play to its strengths to revive its campaign.

“First of all, you would agree it is a young team that the coach has tried to put together,” Akpeyi said.

“With the tactical approach of the coach, he didn't want to lose and concede that much.”

“But unfortunately, it turns out to be a situation where the team has to concede with a lot of red cards.”

However, Akpeyi urged the Bafana Bafana coach to consider a tactical adjustment by adopting a style that better reflects the team's strengths, identity, and footballing culture.

“Now, it is to go back to the drawing board and see if we can play South African football against Czech to see how far that the team can be able to go,” he added.

He added that securing a positive result against the Czech Republic would boost confidence and keep South Africa's hopes of progressing to the knockout stages alive.

“Because, like this, you don't want to spoil the record that you have made earlier on in 2010 against Mexico and you just want to leave the tournament like this..

“So, you want to try as much as possible to at least get a result with Czech to help give you confidence and see if you can sustain the group,” Akpeyi concluded.

Bafana Bafana currently sit bottom of Group A and must earn favourable results against the Czech Republic and South Korea to advance.