Four Bafana stars who've seen red at the World Cup

With Bafana Bafana having received two red cards during their opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, here's a look at all four South African stars who have been sent off at the tournament.

Bafana suffered a 2-0 defeat to co-hosts Mexico on Tuesday night, with Hugo Broos' side ending the match with nine players.

Portugal-based midfielder Sphephelo Sithole was the first to be shown a red card, as he was sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity in the 50th minute.

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In the 84th minute, veteran playmaker Themba Zwane was also given his marching orders after a VAR review deemed him to have struck Roberto Alvarado in the face.

Zwane's dismissal doubled Bafana's total number of red cards at the tournament, as they had received only two in their previous three appearances at the global showpiece.

In 2010, former goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune was shown a straight red card in a 3-0 defeat to Uruguay after fouling Luis Suarez.

In 2002, during Bafana's second appearance at the competition, they did not receive a single red card.

However, in their World Cup debut in 1998, Alfred Phiri was sent off during a 1-1 draw against Denmark.

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