South Africa coach Hugo Broos insisted it was not so important to win their World Cup warm-up against Panama, but after Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at the Cape Town Stadium, he also conceded his side needed improving.
“We can’t go with this level to the World Cup,” he said after the disappointing loss in one of the team’s last games before the finals in Canada, Mexico and the US.
“We started very well and we played a very good first half, even though it was another Panama team than that we played against on Friday,” said Broos afterwards.
“But again, South Africa played a very good game. We had again three open chances. And again, we didn't score unfortunately. So I think if we could have scored one of those chances that maybe it would be another game. But in the second half, we were overpowered by Panama physically.”
Broos made seven changes during the match and said this also affected his side.
“With the changes we made, the organisation was a little bit gone in our team, and for their first goal, they had a player totally free on the second post. That should never happen, but okay. And their second goal was also set piece, so also a free-kick.
"So, I think, because of the many changes we did, and there was disorganisation in our team, but I have to say that, again, it was a very interesting game for us, and the goal of this game was playing against another team with another style. And certainly not an African team. So again, I'm very happy that we had played against Panama twice; two different games also. But we learned a lot,” the veteran coach added.
“It was a preparation game, and for me, it was not so important to win that game, but rather to give an experience to the players of how a team from outside Africa plays.
“So I know that there are still some weaknesses in the team. We cannot go with the level we have now to the World Cup. There has to be something more,” Broos said.