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

'Nightmare from start to finish' for South Africa in opener South Africa's 2026 Fifa World Cup defeat by Mexico has been described as "a nightmare from start to finish" by former captain Dean Furman. "South Africa were just miles off it," Furman told broadcaster 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 opener Skipper 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 atmosphere, the energy behind them and we didn't want to concede in the opening few stages. "And then that's exactly what happened. That's a lesson that we need to take out of this. "As difficult as it was with two guys [sent off], we didn't give up. It shows the mentality that we have and the character that we kept fighting." South African fans watching back home in Johannesburg were less impressed. Relebogile Lairi described it as a "very disappointing start" to the World Cup, adding that supporters "expected a lot more from the boys" who she thought suffered "stage fright". Nicholas Makomene thought the approach was overly defensive and said there was "no need to park the bus". Mixed views on red cards South Africa coach Hugo Broos took issue with his side's second dismissal, which came after a video assistant referee review which prompted Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio to show Zwane a straight red. The forward had tussled with Roberto Alvarado while trying to get past his opponent on the edge of the box, with the Mexican going to ground holding his head. "The first red card, I don't think we have to say something about it but the second red card I think the Mexican player blocked my player," Broos said. However, Furman felt that Zwane deserved to be sent off for violent conduct after swinging his arm into Alvarado's face. "I know Themba well, I've played with him for years. I know it's incredibly soft but it's the modern game, you can't lash out," Furman said. "It's going to be an interesting World Cup if that's what we're giving red cards for but that is the game today. You can't do that." Three red cards - are referees getting tough at this World Cup? When will an African side win the World Cup? Rise in African 'hate-watching' South Africa became the first nation on the continent to host the World Cup in 2010, with Pan-African unity in plentiful supply as Ghana reached the quarter-finals. Sixteen years on the same cannot be said as many fans across the continent were supporting Mexico on Thursday rather than Bafana Bafana. It is partly in response to and violence in South Africa, which has prompted several other African countries South African officials have condemned the violence and insisted their country is not xenophobic. But many on the continent were happy to see South Africa defeated, with Elisha Kamau organising a 'hate-watch' party in Nairobi. "Close to 200 people showed up and almost all of them were supporting Mexico," he told Newsday on the broadcaster World Service. "In Kenya, generally speaking, people support Senegal and Cameroon and Central African states, and less South Africa and Morocco. "The second reason I think is just the timing of the xenophobic attacks. It depends who is playing South Africa, but I think most people would support the other team." Daniel Kaniki, a Congolese fan who watched the game at a fan park in the US city of Atlanta, told sources Africa: "Africa is like one country and if one is chasing others, we are not a family any more. That's why I'm supporting Mexico." Though not everyone agreed. Ghanaian Vanlare Quist, also at the fan park, said he was rooting for South Africa, adding that he was "a proud African". He blamed