'Nightmare from start to finish' for South Africa in opener

'Nightmare from start to finish' for South Africa in openerImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, South Africa's Themba Zwane was sent off for violent conduct in the 84th minute of their Group A opener against Mexico following a VAR reviewByRob StevensBBC Sport AfricaPublished30 minutes agoSouth Africa's 2026 Fifa World Cup defeat by Mexico has been described as "a nightmare from start to finish" by former captain Dean Furman.Bafana Bafana went 1-0 down in the ninth minute after Sphephelo Sithole was caught in possession on the edge of his penalty area, and the midfielder was then sent off in the second half, with forward Themba Zwane also seeing red in Mexico City as the co-hosts strolled to a comfortable 2-0 win in the opening game at the finals."South Africa were just miles off it," Furman told BBC Radio 5 Live."There's really not one player on that pitch in a yellow shirt who can hold their hand up and say they did themself justice."Mexico were in total control from minute one. They looked more assured, they were calm in possession."It was just turnover after turnover after turnover, and when you're playing against quality opposition you get punished."Cameroon were the last team to see red twice in the opening match of a World Cup, when they faced holders Argentina in Italy in 1990.Incredibly, the Indomitable Lions registered a famous 1-0 victory against Diego Maradona's side, a result which South Africa never threatened to match.Three sent off as Mexico beat South Africa in World Cup openerSouth Africa trolled by African fans in wake of World Cup lossAttributionNewsPublished4 hours agoSkipper Ronwen Williams admitted it had been a "tough" afternoon in the Estadio Azteca, but was pleased with how his side "kept fighting"."Obviously the opening game of the World Cup comes with so much emotion," the 34-year-old said."We knew they were going to have the a...