So tactically, tell us what must Banyana do? How must they adjust from those Wafcon performances to dismantle the Super Falcons?

They must go back to playing to their strengths.

I've never seen Banyana Banyana play the ball in the air as much as this group.

It seems like they're treating the ball like a hot potato.

They feel like it will take one pass to get a goal.

They don't do the build-ups that we know them for.

As a result, if you count the touches of each player, they're a lot less than what we know.

Where's your feeling at in respect to the rest of Africa?

And when you represent such a broad constituency, it is important for you to stand firm on the principles.

You can't help but feel like because South Africa is not a Western nation, that decision was made.

You know what I mean? You can't help but feel that way because there's many, many things the U.S., especially Donald Trump himself, has done wrong in the eyes of everybody in the world, besides himself, of course.

But for whatever reason, we've taken the opportunity to put him on a pedestal still.

which is sending the wrong message because now you're putting him at the same level as football, which is what the World Cup is about.

It was not supposed to happen this way.

We don't need that.

Especially, I would expect competing nations from Africa to join hands there and to fight for his right to be there.

I got a

lot.

Good morning, good morning to everybody.

Good morning, fam.

I hope everybody's well.

I was so wrong on so many occasions during this World Cup.

So unpredictable.

Who's taking it and what's your score prediction?

And the question is, why do you think the region would rather back a European powerhouse than see their very own neighbors bring that trophy back to South America?

The obvious one is obviously rivalry, you know.

Obviously, rivalry, you don't want your neighbor to be glorified more than you.

So that's obviously the basic.

But I think more than anything, it's how everything played out, man.

You know, you could tell there was a lot of things that were falling for Argentina and Messi.

You know, even in this game, there were a couple of incidents where you felt like Argentina players got a lot of talking to from the referee, but no cards were issued.

and I mean you you their commentator how do you balance celebrating Argentina's greatness I I think there's some fatigue around Argentinian dominance as well how do you balance celebrating this greatness that they represent with the reality maybe that they've become the most polarized might maybe the most disliked team in the America

And of course, Jaden, tributes have been pouring in from from teammates coaches supporters and and the broader um football community worldwide i'm sure this is where you'll want to add your voice to those morning good to have you with us

morning of uh good to to be on appreciate uh the opportunity to speak on on a talented player like uh jayden adams um i i must say it's a It's a conversation that's been brewing for a long time.

You know, it's difficult to celebrate when something like this happens.

So I think we move on very quickly.

We had this conversation a while back.

I think I was in my early 20s.

We lost Abraham Reselimani, who used to play for Super Sports United.

What's your experience, your knowledge of how football clubs provide the mental health support for players, particularly young stars who may be dealing with pressure, who may be dealing with grief, who may be dealing with the constant public scrutiny, who may be dealing with the transition from a very humble life to suddenly being catapulted onto the world stage in front of literally the eyes of the world on them? What do we know about the support that is offered to players, Sizwe?

So is where? Norway, England?

Yeah.

Another team.

I think for everybody, mainstream will be looking forward to that game.

Mainstream should be looking forward to that game because we have a lot of Premier League fans that know the English players.

And of course, Erling Haaland is the next big star of global football.

And Norway are what they are, which is a team that's been built maybe in the past three and a half years, four years, and they've got the age on their side and possibly to become the new golden generation.

Is that true? Who will be replacing him if so?

easy

because they know who their opponent is, right? So they know which team they play for.

The referee has to handle all of that and still remain objective and choose to make the right call.

In this case, they are human.

They have their own favorites.

They have their own They have their own emotions that they go through throughout the day.

So I do imagine there's always going to be a bit of favoritism or cracking under pressure when Messi speaks to you as a guy from, I don't know, from South Africa.

France's side rather than Morocco's side but I mean I just think it would be better if tonight's game were not refereed by an entirely Argentinian contingent

Do you expect a political backlash against FIFA?

Is he going to bomb them? I think so.

I mean, that's the thing.

I don't think he will.

There's no end to him looking for headlines.

There's no end to him making big statements, you know.

Even after this 4-1 drubbing, I do expect him to say something that will grab the global world's attention.

That is significant.

I think we lost it a bit in the midfield and unfortunately we were not converting the opportunities we were creating in the front third of the field, both first half and second half of the match.

Isn't that the story of our lives with Bafana Bafana? Just the conversions, the opportunities that we create.

And we can count the amount of times a goalkeeper makes saves.

We really could get better and could have been a different story if we at least hit the target a couple of times in that game.

So absolutely right.

And that's the part that maybe will upset a lot of people.

Because It's in our identity to create chances and create magic.

For 90 minutes plus some minutes, we were literally frustrating Canada.

Before we actually get into it, tell us about Soccer Beat and what Soccer Beat is about.

Soccer Beat is almost two years old.

Wow.

Almost two years old.

Podcast online on YouTube is our main broadcast platform, supported obviously by all the social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram.

And of course, TikTok is one of the biggest growing platforms as well, also on WhatsApp.

So we are an integrated platform of football content focused on Bafana Bafana.

And who are the players that we need to look out for this evening?

It does represent huge emotional hurdles, maybe even logistical hurdles.

Oh, yeah.

We have to wonder if the U.S. citizens will support Canada because the game will be played in the U.S.

So we have to wonder what's going to happen here.

Are they going to adopt us as their team like the Mexicans did? Well, I'll say tonight in Mexico or this morning to us in South Africa.

We don't know.

Of course, there's a South African presence in the U.S.

So

How big of an issue is that? And how do you expect Borussia to compensate for that loss?

Massive.

He's been a massive, massive figure for Mafano Afana in the past five years at least, if not six.

He's been massive.

He's really stepped up and has improved with every year.

One would have thought that was maybe the pinnacle for him, but this guy just keeps on improving and stepping up.

Taking that penalty as well just shows the guts that he's got, the passion, the commitment to this team.

How optimistic are you that we can pull it off?

and the thing was is that because i just know they're a popular team a lot of people you know enjoy watching portuguese football but what i so appreciate and someone said this they were like hey man as long as it's an african team playing we are africans and that's who we're screaming for and i think that's such a beautiful culture

absolutely absolutely that's what we need um i mean i'm not going to politicize this but you know there's a misunderstanding at the moment that um you know there's turmoil or there's no community in South Africa, no multinational community in South Africa.

And what you just stated now, you know, is exactly what's happening.

You know, it's been years of years of whatever is happening in South Africa, people coming in, we're learning about their culture, and now we get to celebrate with them and ally with them.

You know, as I said, there's a massive Portuguese community that would have maybe naturally gravitated towards Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese team.

But at this moment, maybe they're feeling a lot more African and they felt they want to be on the side of DRC and see what happens.

You know, it's a different generation now.

And what do you have to say for how our boys performed against Czechia? I think it could have gone a lot worse.

to allow a less physical form of sporting activity?

I think also from the kids' side, the kids are also pushing.

If you go to Edgemeat, Portesach, the whole of Goodwood, the whole of the N1, the northern suburbs, there's a heavy, heavy, heavy, heavy grassroots football program happening there, all the way to Durbanville.

Those clubs have existed for years.

Those are some of the few clubs in the country, maybe, that have been able to survive all the challenges that many amateur clubs have faced.

Many amateur clubs have either changed locations, changed names.

Apart from these clubs, Kemp's Bay, Salesians in Greenpoint, these are some clubs that have been here for years and have produced many, many players, not only for the professional ranks, but who have become amazing human beings in football, also in corporate spaces.

And in England, players, you know, football is – I don't think globally anywhere that I can think of is football, stroke, soccer, a sport which has its – origins of strength in school football it's all in clubs so you know if we want to improve the pipeline of talented players should we be trying to get it into schools or should we be trying to fix the club system because that traditionally globally is the route to elite levels

Another bit of controversy from the last recent games is hydration breaks, or should I say ad breaks?

You've also caught on very quickly.

We all caught on very quickly.

Now we know why they were pushing for this.

Yes, health-wise, I understand.

Health organizations have submitted research.

But as you know, Statistics and research, you push your own agenda.

But did you see Times Square in New York when Brazil was playing? It was raining, it was pouring, and the party didn't stop for those Brazilians.

How realistic is Bafana's chances of progressing to the next stage, would you say?

What I saw of South Korea and Czech Republic, I think...

We have a good chance to get results there.

Of course, some results must also go our way in the other games.

We obviously maybe need Mexico to be perfect so that we can then battle it out for the best third place.

That would give us an opportunity.

If we have one perfect team in the group, that means every other team will have a defeat, right? So that gives us an opportunity.

Looking further than South Africa, are there any particular teams or players that you've been really impressed? I know it's still early days, but who's impressed you the most in this opening week? Who's got you talking the most?

I mean, how much of a threat is this to the idea of this tournament, which has really positioned itself as a global World Cup and also one of inclusion?

Saskia, my biggest issue here is that we always knew that the U.S. has got issues with a lot of countries.

We always knew this.

This is an open secret.

We knew there were going to be issues with Iran.

We knew they were going to have issues with Somalia, Ethiopia, anywhere where there's some type of war or a sign of terrorism or civil war.

So we always knew this was going to be an issue.

I mean, Cesar, do you think that FIFA is doing enough? And what kind of effect do you think that this is going to have on the reputation of this tournament going forward, if any?

Of the matches, of the initial matches, those three that all teams are going to be playing, what are the ones, of course, outside of Bafana, Bafana, what are the ones that you've got your eye on? Like, who are you keen to see?

As I said, you know, my whole energy is on Bafana because of my job and what I know about this team.

You know, the storyline is written there.

Hugo Bruce is about to say goodbye.

It's going to be his last... matches in charge.

So every single match is a farewell for him.

So there's every reason to do something special motivating the team.

amazing