Bafana recovered from their nine-man defeat to Mexico to claim a first point of the tournament at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with Teboho Mokoena’s 83rd-minute penalty cancelling out an early Czechia opener.
Tinkler, who won 45 caps for South Africa between 1994 and 2002, singled out the 20-year-old Mbokazi for special mention.
“Mbokazi was exceptional on the night. His pace, ability to read the game and physical presence stood out,” Tinkler told SportsBoom.
“He is a player still in the early stages of his development and can become a top, top, top defender for both his club and country.”
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But the former midfielder was far less complimentary about South Africa’s setup, particularly in the first half. He felt a midfield built around three defensive-minded players in Mokoena, Thalente Mbatha and Jayden Adams restricted Bafana’s attacking threat.
Tinkler argued that the introduction of Relebohile Mofokeng at half-time should have come far sooner.
“We needed to start the way we finished. Czechia were vulnerable, and this was a game we should have won,” he said.
He also called on the squad to take greater ownership on the pitch rather than relying solely on coaching instruction, and warned that South Korea will pose a sterner physical test in the decisive final group match.
“We don’t need pretty football, sometimes you play ugly and win,” he said.
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South Africa will be without both Mokoena and Themba Zwane through suspension when they face South Korea at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, needing victory to keep their World Cup alive.
Photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
