One of today's fixtures pairs England against Croatia, and it's worth Bafana fans paying attention. Not because South Africa will face these sides soon (though the knockout brackets could get spicy), but because Croatia's entire World Cup philosophy offers a masterclass in how unfancied teams can punch above their weight.
Luka Modric and his squad embody something Bafana desperately need: the psychological resilience to compete against powerhouses without getting intimidated. A child displaced by war who became a Ballon d'Or winner—that's the kind of adversity-forged mentality that translates into football. When Croatia steps on the pitch, they're not playing timid football. They're playing to win.
This is where South African teams often stumble. In the PSL, when Pirates face Chiefs or Sundowns face Orlando, there's intensity because the stakes feel equal. But at the World Cup, that mental adjustment is harder. Bafana players are facing athletes from leagues with global profiles, stadiums with 80,000 fans, and generations of knockout experience. The noise can overwhelm if you let it.
Croatia doesn't let it. England doesn't let it. Neither should Bafana.
The tactical takeaway is subtler: Croatia plays with organization and discipline. They don't chase shadows or abandon structure trying to match teams' athleticism. They execute their game plan, stay compact, and punish transitions. That's exactly what Hugo Broos should be preaching to his squad.
Against Czechia, Bafana need to embrace the underdog role without apologizing for it. Play your system, trust your preparation, and attack the spaces that open up. Don't try to outrun or out-talent Czech opponents—outsmart them.
If Croatia can defy expectations repeatedly, Bafana can certainly beat Czechia with the right mental approach and execution.