Team unity is key for Bafana, says former World Cup winner Petit

Former World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit (left) highlights Bafana Bafana’s local player cohesion and Lyle Foster’s potential as key factors in their World Cup prospects. Picture: MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP

The fact that Bafana Bafana have so many players based locally in South Africa could prove to be one of their biggest strengths, according to former Fifa World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit.

With 19 locally based players in the squad, many of them coming from Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, cohesion should not be an issue for Hugo Broos at the tournament.

Bafana take on co-hosts Mexico in the opening game at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with kick-off at 9pm SA time.

Petit, though, is cautiously optimistic about South Africa’s chances.