Delron Buckley Backs Bafana Bafana After FIFA Flags Record Online Abuse

Bafana Bafana legend Delron Buckley has come to the defense of the national team, describing the criticism directed at players during the 2026 FIFA World Cup as “over the top and unfair.”

South Africa endured a difficult opening to the tournament, losing 2-0 to co-hosts Mexico. 

However, they bounced back with a draw against Czechia and a memorable victory over South Korea, which secured their first-ever qualification for the knockout stages. Their campaign ended in heartbreak with a last-minute defeat to co-hosts Canada.

Despite the achievement, the team faced a wave of online abuse after the opening loss. FIFA’s Social Media Protection Service flagged the trolling as the worst they had encountered during the tournament, surpassing previous levels of online hate.

Buckley, who played in Europe from 1994 to 2012 for clubs including Borussia Dortmund, defended the squad. 

“I am proud of the players. With all the challenges we experienced before the tournament, visa issues and administrative issues, we should be proud. The first game was a shock for many of them, as it was a new experience, but how they bounced back in the last three games was outstanding. They achieved what even my generation could not achieve in many years of trying, qualifying for the knockout stages,” Buckley told SportsBoom.co.za. 

Tactical Choices Under Scrutiny

Buckley acknowledged that tactical decisions in the opening match contributed to the poor start. 

“The choice of tactics in the first game appeared to put the players off-guard. But this is the same team that did well throughout the qualifiers. The criticism was exaggerated,” he explained.

Reflecting on the knockout clash against Canada, Buckley admitted he was surprised by some substitutions. 

“I was surprised that Rele Mofokeng did not return in the second half and that we reverted to a midfield three. Maseko’s substitution also puzzled me, as I thought he could give us more than Appollis. Yes, Appollis had two shots on target, but he gave us nothing on the night. These are lessons, and many of these players are still in the early stages of their careers. They will improve.”

Perspective on World Cup Exit

Buckley, who represented South Africa at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, urged fans not to be too disappointed with the last-32 exit. 

“There have been a lot of surprises. Germany lost to Paraguay, and the Netherlands were knocked out by Morocco. We should be proud of how far we went. With the talent we have, we could have done even better,” he added. 

Disappointment with Germany’s Campaign

Having spent much of his career in Germany, Buckley expressed disappointment with the German national team’s early exit. 

“I was not surprised they lost their last group game; I predicted that while working as an Analyst in the studio. Coach Julian Nagelsmann did not use players to their strengths. Captain Joshua Kimmich was played at right back instead of midfield, and strikers Undav and Havertz were too similar in style, which sacrificed Musiala’s creativity. Florian Wirtz was pushed wide and played backwards instead of attacking defenders. He is a quality player, but he needs freedom to shine,” Buckley explained.

He added that signs of tactical issues were already visible during the qualifiers, with many fans unimpressed by Nagelsmann’s approach.

Best Wishes for Mofokeng

Buckley also offered encouragement to young star Mofokeng, who has since joined Belgium outfit Union SG, likening him to Germany’s Musiala and Wirtz. 

“It is no coincidence that reports link him to a move to Belgium. This is the right step for his development. He impressed at the World Cup, though I felt he could have been given more minutes." 

He also praised Maseko and singled out Mbekezeli Mbokazi as South Africa’s standout defender. 

“There has been a lot said about Mbokazi, and for me, he was by far the best defender at the World Cup,” Buckley concluded.