Mexico manager Javier Aguirre on a quest for revenge against South Africa following a poor defeat

Aguirre was at the helm of Egypt when Bafana eliminated the hosts from the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in the round of 16, a result that caused shockwaves throughout Egyptian football.

The Pharaohs, who had been beaten finalists in the previous tournament and would again finish as runners-up at the 2021 edition, harboured high hopes of lifting the trophy on home soil. However, a late winner from Thembinkosi Lorch in Cairo crushed those aspirations and eventually led to Aguirre losing his job.

“South Africa have performed well and defeated me in the African Cup,” Aguirre told journalists. “They are a formidable team, not exactly playing in an African style, but rather a blend with European football. They have a Belgian coach (Hugo Broos) and some intriguing players. I hold the utmost respect for them. It will not be straightforward.”

It is said that there are two fixtures everyone wants to be part of at a World Cup – the opening match, with the world’s eyes fixed upon it, and the final.

Aguirre hopes above all that the encounter at the Azteca Stadium in a week’s time lives up to the occasion. 

“Let us hope (the match) is a good one and does justice to the occasion,” he said.

Aguirre has previously spoken about the significance of home advantage for Mexico, labelling it as “priceless”.

“That is what I tell my players, playing at home is priceless,” he said. “England were champions at home and have never done so again. I have great faith that the fans will cheer us on, assist us, and that the whole nation will rally behind us.”

When asked if he felt anxious ahead of the tournament, Aguirre said he was simply savouring the moment.

“Neither one (nervous) nor the other (anxious),” he said. “I am genuinely thrilled. I am one of the fortunate ones, truly fortunate.

“We are in our finest physical, athletic and even mental condition. The players are extremely excited. None of them has ever experienced anything like this before. We are all eager for the moment to come.”

Mexico face Serbia in their last warm-up match on Thursday after narrowly beating Australia 1-0 in their previous outing.

In the meantime, Bafana’s final Group A opponents South Korea defeated El Salvador 1-0 in their last friendly before the tournament on Wednesday. That victory came after a 5-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago in their first warm-up game.

Bafana take on Jamaica in their final preparation match on Friday and are hopeful of having left-back Aubrey Modiba available again following a hamstring injury.