“This Is Not Tennis” – McKenzie Defends Under-Fire Sithole After Red Card Nightmare
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has thrown his support behind Bafana Bafana midfielder Sphephelo Sithole following his nightmare World Cup opener against Mexico.
Sithole, who endured club relegation with Portuguese side Tondela this past season, was directly at fault for the opening goal as Bafana suffered a 2-0 defeat at the Estadio Azteca in their 2026 FIFA World Cup curtain-raiser.
The KwaZulu-Natal-born midfielder was caught in possession after receiving a hospital pass from Ronwen Williams. Julián Quiñones pounced, firing a ruthless finish through Williams’ legs to send the home crowd into bedlam in the ninth minute.
Just four minutes into the second half, Sithole’s afternoon went from bad to worse. He was shown a straight red card for bringing down Brian Gutiérrez as the last man, after Bafana were left dangerously exposed in an experimental five-man defense.
Mexico, making their 18th World Cup appearance, doubled their advantage in the 67th minute through Raúl Jiménez as Bafana’s backline was again caught at sixes and sevens.
Themba Zwane then added insult to injury on a miserable day for South Africa when he was sent off in the 84th minute for striking Gilberto Mora in the face. It was Zwane’s first-ever red card in national team colors.
The disciplinary meltdown means both players will miss Thursday’s crucial clash against the Czech Republic in Atlanta.
“This is not tennis; this is football,” said McKenzie, who is currently in Mexico. “We win as a team or lose as a team. Don’t blame yourself, Yaya. This wasn’t your best performance, but you took one for the team with that red card. We appreciate all our players. Come back stronger, son.”
With Sithole and Zwane suspended for the Czech Republic fixture, head coach Hugo Broos—who already infuriated fans and pundits at home with his starting lineup—will be forced to reshuffle his pack.
The suspended duo will only be eligible to return when Bafana Bafana face South Korea in their final Group A match at the Estadio BBVA in Monterrey on 25 June.
