This evening in Atlanta, Bafana get a second chance. On paper, it is a better one than the first. Czechia are not Mexico. They are beatable. The only question is whether Bafana have the guts to go and beat them.

Both sides arrive with nothing to show from their first game. South Africa were humiliated by Mexico, losing 2-0 with nine men. Czechia led South Korea through a Ladislav Krejčí header, then conceded twice in the final half hour to lose 2-1.

The format gives both sides a lifeline. The top two go through, as do eight of the twelve third-placed teams. A win tonight puts qualification back within reach. A draw keeps Bafana alive in theory and little more.

That is why this is the night to play. Against Mexico, South Africa set up not to lose and lost anyway. Three shots. 0.07 expected goals. Two touches in the opposition box across ninety minutes. That was not caution. It was surrender.

Czechia are the weakest attacking side Bafana will meet in this group. If there was ever a game to release the handbrake Hugo Broos bolted on against the hosts, it is this one.

Selection issues may force him into sense. Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane are both suspended after the red cards that wrecked the opener. Surely Broos has to switch it up.

The South African line up we would like to see is clear. Ronwen Williams in goal. Khuliso Mudau, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, and Bradley Cross across the back. Teboho Mokoena and Thalente Mbatha in midfield. Oswin Appollis, Relebohile Mofokeng, and Kamogelo Sebelebele behind Lyle Foster.

That is the team with legs, pace, width, and a route to goal. Appollis was South Africa’s most dangerous player in qualifying, with six goal contributions, and somehow started against Mexico on the bench. Mofokeng can carry the ball. Sebelebele can run at defenders. Foster, although his confidence, is low is Premier League quality.

Bafana did not reach this World Cup with qualified. They qualified by winning CAF Group C, finishing ahead of Nigeria and Benin, and sealed it with a 3-0 win over Rwanda. This is South Africa’s first World Cup on merit since 2002. They should not now play as if they snuck in through the back door.

Czechia are big, direct, and dangerous from set pieces. Patrik Schick is a serious striker. But this is still the match Bafana have to attack.

The Mexico defeat was not just a result. It was a warning. Sit deep again, wait for the game to happen, and Bafana will be out before the final group match has even been played.

Attack Czechia and the tournament opens again.

Prediction. South Africa 2, Czechia 1.