Bafana Bafana see flames in Mexico

BAFANA Bafana are in big trouble.

Mexico crush Bafana MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JUNE 11: Khuliso Mudau #20 of South Africa is challenged by Julian Quinones #16 of Mexico during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) (gallo ima/Getty Images)

Mexico crush Bafana PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 23: Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos during the South African national men's soccer team press conference at Southern Sun Pretoria on March 23, 2026 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images) (Gallo images)

Mexico crush Bafana MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JUNE 11: Brian Gutierrez #26 of Mexico is fouled by Sphephelo Sithole #13 of South Africa during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. Sithole was issued a red card on the play. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) (gallo image/Getty Images)

Mexico crush Bafana Bafana Bafana got their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign off to a perfect start with a 2-0 victory over hosts Mexico in their opening match. (gallo images)

Mexico crush Bafana Mexico crush Bafana (Gallo Images)

Mexico crush Bafana Mexico crush Bafana (gallo)

Mexico crush Bafana MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JUNE 11: Referee Wilton Sampaio issues a red card to Themba Zwane #11 of South Africa during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) (gallo/Getty Images)

Mexico crush Bafana Mexico crush Bafana (gallo ima)

Mexico crush Bafana MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JUNE 11: Themba Zwane of South Africa is shown red card during the World Cup First Stage Group A match between Mexico and South Africa at Estadio Azteca (Mexico Stadium) in Mexico City, Mexico on June 11, 2026. (Photo by Juancho Torres/Anadolu via Getty Images) (gallo ima/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Bafana Bafana World Cup 2026 MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JUNE 11: Brian Gutierrez #26 of Mexico is fouled by Sphephelo Sithole #13 of South Africa during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. Sithole was issued a red card on the play. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) (Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Bafana Bafana dribbled 2-0 MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JUNE 11: Performers dance during the Opening Ceremony ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) (Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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This after they started their 2026 Fifa World Cup campaign on a bad note. They lost 2-0 to one of the host countries, Mexico in the opening match on Thursday night, 11 Thursday.

The game was played at the famous Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The South Africans struggled to find their rhythm from the start of the match to the end. Mexico took control early on, keeping the ball in the air and creating dangerous chances.

Mexico showed their danger within the last five minutes of the first half.
Bafana captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams had to make a brilliant save to stop a late goal.
But the pressure paid off four minutes earlier. Forward Julian Quiñones scored in the ninth minute to give Mexico a 1-0 lead.

Hugo Broos’ boys found it easy to cope with Mexico’s speed and high pressing. Bafana never had the ball 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 exactly the same. Mexico kept pressing and forced South Africa to make mistakes.

Williams almost gave the hosts a second goal after finding the ball while trying to pass from the back, but Mexico scored the chance. Bafana players grew frustrated, and defender Yaya Sithole was given a red card after bringing down a Mexican attacker inside the centre circle.

Mexico scored their first 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.

— 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 started the match, but they could not trouble the Mexican defence. Bafana only managed two yellow cards 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. It was the cleanest match ever played.