By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Carl Recine/Getty Images.
Bafana Bafana midfielder Themba Zwane has received a 3-match suspension for his red card against Mexico, after a Sports Governing Body, FIFA review.
Zwane was shown a red card for violent conduct in the 84th minute as South Africa finished the match with nine men in their opening match, they lost 2-0.
According to FIFA on Wednesday,17 June 2026, Zwane is judged to have illegally raised his arm on Roberto Alvarado despite Bafana Bafana being on the attack when the incident took place.
The default suspension would have been a single match for a red card, but in this instance, the Disciplinary Committee ruled that the incident was serious foul play and added two matches on.
The decision is subject to appeal to the FIFA Appeal Committee. Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos seemed incensed by the decision.
Broos told journalists after the match that, “It was the Mexican player who was blocking my player.
“It’s the position of the referee, and we have to accept it also, but I don’t think [it was a red], it was too soft to give that as a red card.
“The first red card, you have to accept it. Their player was going alone to the goal and Yaya fouled him, so that I can understand.”
South Africa will face Czechia in a crucial Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be played at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium stadium, Atlanta city on Thursday, June 18. Both teams are desperate for a win to keep their knockout stage hopes alive after suffering defeats in their tournament openers.