Bafana's phantom game: what was the score in the World Cup warm-up against Jamaica?

However, the Jamaican team has stated that the match ended in a 1-1 draw. Oswin Appollis scored for South Africa in the first half, and a late equaliser came from the Caribbean side. This is despite many score applications showing the result as a 1-0 victory for South Africa.

SAFA officials cannot be contacted for confirmation regarding the scoreline, nor to clarify whether the fixture was an official full international or merely a training exercise.

There is a clue in the fact that the match is not recorded as a fixture by FIFA. This suggests it probably lacks official status and consequently does not affect world ranking points.

The decision to hold the match behind closed doors is reported to have come from coach Hugo Broos. His aim is to prevent Mexico, their Group A opponents, from gaining any tactical or personnel information before the World Cup opener on Thursday.

How did the team perform? What formation was used? Who were the starters? Were there any injuries? Did the injured left back, Aubrey Modiba, get any playing time? At this moment, we have no answers to any of these questions.

Since the match took place at the Hidalgo Stadium in Pachuca, Mexico, it is probable that the hosts managed to have someone inside the venue in some form to analyse Bafana. This makes the secrecy somewhat futile regardless.

Local journalists in Mexico have criticised Bafana for being a closed shop. Aside from a compulsory open training session mandated by FIFA, the team has conducted no media appearances and has remained out of the public eye.

They argue that, after a 16 year absence, Bafana are finally back on the world stage and this is an opportunity to present themselves. There is some validity to this point, though Broos could reasonably contend that they will do so during the tournament itself.

If the result is indeed 1-1, it would extend Bafana's winless streak leading into the World Cup to five matches, three draws and two losses (D3 L2), since their victory over Zimbabwe at the Africa Cup of Nations.

This disappointing run contrasts sharply with their Group A rivals Mexico, the Czech Republic and South Korea, who have all recorded impressive victories over the past week.

These secretive preparations are not winning them many admirers, but this is typical of Broos. The Belgian coach has never sought to please others in his position. He acts according to what he believes is best for the squad, and to be fair, his own reputation is at stake and it is his right to do so.