Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos and his technical team are already working on a plan to secure all three points when South Africa return to action in Atlanta on Thursday.
Victory has become increasingly important afte South Africa began the tournament without a point.
2026 FIFA WORLD CUP: CZECHIA VS BAFANA BAFANA
The squad travelled back to their base in Pachuca on Friday afternoon following a three-hour bus journey from Mexico City. Soon after arriving, players who did not complete the full 90 minutes against Mexico, along with the substitutes, took part in a training session as preparations resumed.
Broos admitted after the opening match that improving the team’s attacking play would be one of the priorities before facing Czechia.
“You know, there’s still seven days, those guys are professionals, if you can’t recuperate in seven days for another game, that will be ridiculous,” Broos said on Thursday.
“I don’t think that will be a problem, I think we need the next two days to get over the disappointment of today and also the fatigue.
“But from Saturday and Sunday, the guys will be ready again, to have good training, and also we have to work on our offensive game, because it was not enough in this game,” he said.
FOCUS SHIFTS TO CZECHIA
Friday’s training session showed the urgency inside the Bafana Bafana camp. During the opening stages, Broos repeatedly instructed his players to stay focused as preparations intensified ahead of the next fixture.
South Africa currently occupy the bottom spot in Group A after losing their opening match. Czechia also remain without points after suffering a 2-1 defeat to South Korea, although the European side hold a slightly better goal difference.
The top two teams in each group will qualify automatically for the last 32. The eight best third-placed sides across the 12 groups will also progress to the knockout rounds.
BAFANA BAFANA TRAVEL TO ATLANTA
The South African squad are expected to continue training in Pachuca over the coming days. They will then travel to Atlanta on Tuesday for the meeting with Czechia at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
With qualification hopes still alive, the next match could prove decisive for Broos’ side as they look to get their FIFA World Cup campaign back on track.
