BAFANA Bafana started their 2026 Fifa World Cup campaign on a bad note.
They lost 2-0 to hosts Mexico in the opening match on Thursday night, 11 June. The game was played at the famous Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The South Africans struggled to find their rhythm from the start. Mexico took control early on, keeping the ball and creating dangerous chances.
Mexico showed their danger within the first five minutes. Bafana captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams had to make a brilliant save to stop an early goal. But the pressure paid off four minutes later. Forward Julian Quiñones scored in the ninth minute to give Mexico a 1-0 lead.
Hugo Broos' boys found it hard to cope with Mexico's speed and high pressing. Bafana had the ball sometimes but failed to create real scoring chances. Mexico continued to rule the game.
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The match stopped briefly for a water break before Mexico took their lead into half-time.
The second half was the same, with Mexico pressing and forcing South Africa to make mistakes. Williams almost gave the hosts a second goal after losing the ball while trying to pass from the back, but Mexico missed the chance.
Bafana players grew frustrated, and defender Yaya Sithole was given a red card after bringing down a Mexican attacker just outside the box.
Mexico scored their second goal in the 67th minute, sealing the win and leaving South Africa with a big mountain to climb.
Broos brought on veteran playmaker Themba "Mshishi" Zwane to try and fight back. But Mshishi struggled to change the game and was also sent off with a red card in the 84th minute.
Oswin Appollis and Evidence Makgopa also came on, but they couldn't trouble the Mexican defence. Bafana only managed two shots on target during the whole match.
There was late drama in injury time when Khuliso Mudau was brought down by Mexican defender César Montes, who was also given a red card. But it was too late to change the score.
The match made World Cup history for the wrong reasons. The three red cards - two for South Africa and one for Mexico - made it one of the dirtiest opening matches in Fifa World Cup history.
Bafana must now fix their mistakes quickly. They need to fight for their first points in their next Group Stage matches.
