Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio dished out three straight red cards with Bafana Bafana midfielder Sphephelo Sithole becoming his first victim in South Africa's 2-0 loss to co-hosts Mexico in the 2026 Fifa World Cup opener in Mexico City on Thursday night.
The cathedral of football, Azteca Stadium, was a cauldron of agony for Bafana Bafana as hosts Mexico defeated them 2-0 in the 2026 Fifa World Cup opener on Thursday night.
Mexico could have won by a wider margin. At times, the hosts were wasteful, sparing Bafana Bafana a harsher introduction to the realities of World Cup competition following their 16-year absence.
Bafana arrived hoping to salvage at least a draw – a repeat of the result from their meeting 16 years ago – but it was not to be. However, with two group games remaining, they cannot afford to lose heart.
Three points in the final two games against Czechia and South Korea would put them in contention for knockout stage qualification – for the first time in four attempts after 1998, 2002, and 2010.
