INTO THE CAULDRON: Bafana ready to test Mexico in World Cup opener, says Broos

Bafana Bafana are set to take on Mexico in their World Cup opener, with coach Hugo Broos expressing confidence in his team’s readiness to face a formidable opponent on home turf.

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos said his side are prepared to face Mexico’s quality and home-crowd advantage in Thursday’s World Cup opener, insisting they are ready to fight for every ball against the group’s “strongest team”.

“They play good football,” Broos told reporters on Wednesday. “They have very good players, players who can decide a match. And playing in front of 85,000 people gives them a boost.”

Broos said South Africa had done detailed work on Mexico and would not be overawed by the occasion, adding that his players had also adapted to the city’s altitude after arriving early.

“Because of the altitude, we had to be here a little bit sooner,” he said. “We had 10 days, and I think 10 days is sufficient. From that side, I think we are ready.”

South Africa are in Group A with Mexico, the Czech Republic and South Korea, and Broos said the opening match could be decisive for their hopes of reaching the next round.

“In a group like this, it is very important to win your first game,” he said. “If you don’t win, you are already in a difficult position.”

For South Africa, the fixture carries its own echoes. They opened the 2010 World Cup against Mexico in Johannesburg, drawing 1-1 after Siphiwe Tshabalala scored one of the tournament’s most memorable goals.

Broos also played for Belgium at the 1986 World Cup, where they faced Mexico in the group stage and went on to finish fourth.

The hosts face South Africa on Thursday still seeking their first victory in a World Cup opening match after seven previous attempts.

Midfielder Teboho Mokoena said South Africa wanted to embrace the occasion while giving themselves the best chance of reaching the knockout stage.

“We want to be competitive and see ourselves go to the next round,” Mokoena said. “We must be here to enjoy the experience. When you go home, you must not go home with regrets.”

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre knows exactly what awaits his Mexico side when they face South Africa.

Forty years and one week ago, Aguirre played all 90 minutes of host Mexico’s impressive 2-1 victory over Belgium to open El Tri’s 1986 World Cup campaign, a match decided by a 39th-minute goal from legendary Mexico striker Hugo Sanchez.

Now in his third stint as the manager of the national team he once played for, Aguirre has tried to instil a family ethos – in part because he knows what they’re about to go through will be unparallele