Bafana's Sithole speaks: I didn't have a good game against Mexico

Ahead of Bafana Bafana’s Group A finale against South Korea, Sphephelo Sithole has opened up on his performance against Mexico, during which the midfielder was sent off in the first half.

Bafana head into Thursday's do-or-die FIFA World Cup clash against South Korea facing a severe midfield selection crisis with talisman Teboho Mokoena and veteran playmaker Themba Zwane both officially ruled out through suspension.

Broos’ engine room is severely wounded ahead of the high-stakes battle, giving the technical team a massive tactical headache as South Africa desperately chases maximum points to secure a historic spot in the knockout stages.

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The silver lining for the under-pressure Belgian tactician is the timely return to action of Sithole, who is officially available after serving his automatic one-match ban.

Reflecting on the red card against Mexico, Sithole was candid in his assessment.

"I know that I didn’t have a good game in the first game, but I think the response that I got from the team was good," the midfielder told journalists at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

"Everyone was supportive, even the coach as well. He supported me very well, so I think what makes us a very good team is that in our group, we have very good human beings.”

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The hard-hitting midfielder sat out the fighting 1-1 draw against Czechia following his straight red card in the opener, but his defensive steel and destructive ball-winning abilities could be heavily relied upon against the lightning-quick transitions of the Taeguk Warriors.