Staff Reporter
The South African government has urged Bafana Bafana to remain confident and rally for their remaining FIFA World Cup group-stage matches after the national team opened their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Mexico in Mexico City.
Mexico beat South Africa at the Azteca Stadium on Thursday in the opening match, with Julián Quiñones scoring in the ninth minute before Raúl Jiménez added a second in the 67th minute.
The physical Group A match also produced three red cards, with South Africa reduced to nine men after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off. Mexico’s César Montes was also dismissed late in the match.
The result leaves Bafana Bafana needing a response in their remaining group-stage fixtures against Czech Republic and South Korea.
In a statement issued after the match, government said South Africa remained behind the team despite the defeat.
“Government commends Bafana Bafana for their
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