South Africa Opens World Cup With 2-0 Loss to Mexico, Sithole Draws Heavy Criticism
South Africa returned to the World Cup stage on Thursday for the first time since 2010, but lost 2-0 to Mexico in a poor opening match and finished with nine players. Hugo Broos’s team fell behind in the 9th minute after Sphephelo Sithole lost the ball to Erick Lira, who set up the opening goal for Quiñones.
Sithole then was sent off with a straight red in the 49th minute for a foul on Brian Gutiérrez, leaving South Africa further exposed. Local media had warned before the match that the midfielder was under heavy pressure, and one outlet said,
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