Junior Khanye Praises History-Making Bafana But Stands Firm on Hugo Broos Criticism

Former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Junior Khanye praised coach Hugo Broos and Bafana players for creating history in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

The pundit highlighted that he has no regrets for expressing his opinions heading into the South Korea fixture. 

Bafana Create History

There are days that are forever imprinted in South African hearts, including the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup final triumphs by the Springboks and the screamer from Siphiwe Tshabalala during the 2010 FIFA World Cup opener. 

Thursday, 25 June 2026, was one of those days. 

The whole country was up in the early hours of the morning, glued to their screens and hoping that coach Hugo Broos' Bafana Bafana would create history and progress to the round of 32 for the first time in history. 

A Thapelo Maseko goal in the 62nd minute against South Korea secured South Africa's qualification for the round of 32, a sight that the whole country will not forget. 

Former Bafana Bafana midfielder and now pundit Junior Khanye praised the current generation for putting on an impressive performance on Thursday. 

"Firstly, I'd like to compliment the team, they played very well," Khanye told SportsBoom.co.za. "I'm so impressed and proud to be South African because of the way they played. Compliments to the coach and players."

Appollis Still Needs to Step Up 

However, Khanye highlighted that the only area of concern from the 1-0 victory was how the team sat back and defended after scoring. 

He further emphasised Oswin Appollis, citing that the forward is yet to play at his best in the ongoing showpiece event. 

"We had sat behind and allowed them to attack in the last 15 to 20 minutes, and it shouldn't be that way. But it tells you that there's improvement in South African football," he said. 

"Even yesterday's game, our attack wasn't balanced. Appollis, a top player in the Betway premiership, hasn't shown up in this tournament."

Stance On Opinions

Leading into the South Korea fixture, Khanye expressed that he could not foresee Bafana Bafana progressing to the next round and gave reasons for his opinion. 

Even before the fixture against South Korea, Khanye had been vocal about his disappointment with coach Broos' selections during the match against Mexico and the performance of some of the players. 

As a result, the coach and his staff have hit back, expressing frustration with the opinions that have been going around post the Mexico defeat.

Khanye stood his ground, saying he had no regret for speaking his mind, as Broos and his staff went on to adjust their tactics and selections for the Czechia and South Korea fixtures, the way that Khanye and others suggested. 

"I didn't see them winning (against South Korea). At best, I saw them probably getting a draw. The boys worked hard, and honestly, we showed up," said Khanye.  

"With Hugo Broos, the coaches must not squeal. We have offensive players who are doing well currently in the Betway Premiership, who are the same guys he played against South Korea (but did not play against Mexico)." 

Canada Preview

South Africa will take on co-hosts Canada for their round of 32 fixture, and it is set to take place at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, 28 June. 

Khanye says he is positive this time around, but is wary that the support Canada will provide their team will likely get the better of the Bafana players, given that they seemed to struggle under pressure when they faced co-hosts Mexico earlier in the tournament.  

"I'm positive this time, but the truth is, it's going to be hard. These are co-hosts like Mexico, so it's going to be hard. I'm always positive about the team, but I must also face reality," he said.  

"They are going to deal with nervousness because we saw them against Mexico, where they battled nervousness. I see Canada posing problems. This is a game of opinion, and that's my opinion, and I don't regret having one."