The referee, Wilton Sampaio sends Bafana Bafana’s Themba Zwane off the field with a red card during the South African team’s first match in the 2026 World Cup tournament. (Photo: Yuri Cortez / AFP).
South Africa kicked off their first game of the World Cup tournament on Thursday on a disappointing note with a 0-2 loss against Mexico.
Bafana Bafana’s nine-man side finished the iconic Estadio Azteca upside down, after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off with red cards.
Mexico itself finished the match with just 10 players when its captain, César Montes, was also sent off shortly before the end.
Julián Quiñones scored the first goal of the tournament, before veteran striker Raúl Jiménez added a second to start the co-hosts’ Group A campaign on a winning note.
The red, green and white colored smoke from the opening fireworks still hung in the air when Quiñones gave the home team the lead in the ninth minute with a low shot that slipped between the legs of South Africa’s goalkeeper and captain, Ronwen Williams.
A deafening cheer echoed through the Estadio Azteca – the only stadium that has hosted matches during three different World Cup tournaments.
Bafana Bafana beat Khuliso Mudau and Cesar Montens of Mexico for the ball. (Photo: Yuri Cortez/AFP).
South Africa’s coach, Hugo Broos, warned his players in advance to be ready for the intimidating atmosphere that would be created by a crowd of 80,824.
It seems, however, that Bafana Bafana felt the pressure of the crowd early on, while Mexico’s fans celebrate every successful pass with a loud chorus of “Olé!” greeted
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Bafana Bafana leaves the field after the match with a final score of 0-2. (Photo: Yuri Cortez / AFP).
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Evidence Makgopa of Bafana Bafana in Mexico is Gilberto Mora and Thalente Mbatha will be on the ball. (Photo: Yuri Cortez/AFP).
Sithole suffered in particular and was caught trying to play out from the back, leading to Quiñones’ opening goal.
His game was finally stopped in the 49th minute when he knocked down Brian Gutiérrez, while he was on his way to kick a goal.
Mexico doubled their lead in the 67th minute after a counterattack. Roberto Alvarado swung the ball in and Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jiménez got it in at the far post.
After this, Zwane was sent off in the 84th minute, after waving his arm in Alvarado’s face.