By Eskender Tamrat@eskeFussball

World Cup: Schick and Hoffenheim trio start for Czechia against Okon's South Africa

Czechia and South Africa start the second round of group stage games on Thursday.

Lars Baron/Getty Images

Czechia and South Africa will lock horns to revive their chances of qualifying to the knockout stages after losing their opening games against South Korea and co-hosts Mexico, respectively. Four Bundesliga players are in Czechia’s lineup, including the return of Adam Hložek after his cameo appearance last week.

Hložek's Hoffenheim teammates Vladimír Coufal and Robin Hranáč maintained their spots in defense, while Patrick Schick will lead the line upfront. Hannover’s Ime Okon will hope to stop Bayer Leverkusen's striker as he makes his second start for Bafana Bafana.

Mexico and South Korea will meet later in the other game from the group with qualification on the line.

Confirmed Czechia vs. South Africa Lineups

Czechia: Kovář; Hranáč, Holeš, Krejčí ©; Sojka, Červ, Sadilek, Darida, Coufal; Hložek, Schick

South Africa: Williams ©; Mudau, Okon, Mbokazi, Modiba; Mokeona, Mbatha, Adams; Appollis, Rayners, Maseko