Former Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh has described Bafana Bafana’s opening game at the 2026 World Cup against co-host Mexico as ‘disappointing’.
Oliseh feels convinced that South Africa’s collapse on the colourful opening day of the global showpiece had more to do with pressure than football ability.
Bafana Bafana were beaten 2-0 by co-hosts Mexico in the opening match of the tournament at the famous Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The Group A clash attracted a crowd of 80,824 fans and quickly turned into one of the most dramatic opening games in World Cup history.
Mexico took the lead after just nine minutes when Julián Quiñones punished a costly mistake from South African midfielder Sphephelo Sithole. Erik Lira won possession high up the pitch and Quiñones calmly finished through the legs of captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
The hosts remained in control for most of the contest before veteran striker Raúl Jiménez sealed the victory in the 67th minute with the second goal.
Despite the scoreline and the disciplinary chaos, Oliseh insisted South Africa are far better than they showed on the night.
Speaking in a podcast clip after the match, the former Super Eagles midfielder and captain argued that the occasion itself overwhelmed Hugo Broos’ men.
“Finally, the World Cup is here,” Oliseh said. “80,000 fans at the Azteca, a beautiful opening ceremony and we all expected a romantic replay of the 2010 in South Africa. But we actually just witnessed was absolute psychological warfare.
“Mexico won 2-0 but this wasn’t about tactics. It was about pure pressure. South Africa didn’t lose because they are a poor side. Believe me. They lost because the stage seems to be simply too big for them.
“I was thinking the host nation pressure would break Mexico. Instead, that massive crowd took the pressure away from them and seems to dump it all on Bafana Bafana, forcing them into two red cards and a total meltdown.
“Expect to see this trend a lot during this tournament. The big stages change everything in football. Let’s see if the other host nations (United States and Canada) can handle this same pressure tomorrow and the day after.”
