S’Africa’s Bafana Open Campaign with Defeat by Mexico and Two Red Cards

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Duro Ikhazuagbe

South Africa, one of Africa’s ten representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, began its campaign with a disappointing 2-0 loss to co‑host Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

Unlike the 1-1 draw the South Africans endured 16 years ago when they hosted the World Cup, the Bafana Bafana team performed below expectations from the start. They were unconvincing and paid a heavy price, conceding in the opening ten minutes when Julian Quinones, who plays for Al Qadsiah in the Saudi Arabian Pro League, capitalised on a loose ball from Yaya Sithole and fired the opener past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, sending the packed stadium into a frenzy.

In the 49th minute, Hugo Broos’s side were reduced to ten men when Sithole was dismissed for fouling Brian Gutierrez as the last man.

With the clock ticking at 1 hour and 7 minutes, Alex Iwobi’s Fulham teammate Raul Jiménez sealed Mexico’s victory. Jiménez, Mexico’s top goal threat at the tournament, scored once and created numerous chances. He was moved to tears after celebrating his goal, embraced by teammates who rushed to congratulate him. He then pointed to the sky, perhaps reflecting on his father who passed away earlier this year.

The opening match also saw two more send‑offs. Bafana substitute Themba Zwane received a straight red card for an altercation with Roberto Alvarado, and host Cesar Montes was dismissed in the closing minutes for a clinical foul on Khuliso Mudau.

Mexico’s Group A rivals South Korea and the Czech Republic will begin their campaigns when they face each other in Guadalajara early Friday morning. The other host nations, the United States and Canada, will open later on Friday against Paraguay and Bosnia‑Herzegovina, respectively.

RESULT

Mexico 2-0 South Africa

TODAY

FRIDAY June 12

S Korea v Czech (3am)

Canada v Bosnia & Herz (8pm)

SATURDAY June 13

USA v Paraguay (2am)

Qatar v Switzerland (8pm)

Brazil v Morocco (11pm)

SUNDAY June 14

Haiti v Scotland (2am)