Yaya Sithole looked desperately towards the heavens above the Azteca Stadium, then the South African player trudged off the pitch with slumped shoulders: he conceded a goal in the opening match against Mexico and received a red card – that’s what a truly black day looks like. Before even an hour of play had passed, the World Cup had its first tragic figure.
Sphephelo S’Miso Sithole, ‘Yaya’s’ full and resonant name, is actually a fundamentally solid midfielder, 27 years old, playing for CD Tondela, with whom he has just been relegated from Portugal’s first division. However, Sithole’s 29th international cap ensured that relegation was far from his most unpleasant footballing experience in 2026.
In the 9th minute, Sithole lost the ball near his own penalty area to Erik Lira, and Julian Quinones was grateful, scoring the first goal of this mega-World Cup. After halftime, South Africa’s tentative comeback attempt ended when Sithole tripped Brian Gutierrez from behind as he ran past (49th minute). Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio immediately showed a red card, making Yaya’s blackest day complete.
Oh yes: the unlucky player is wearing number 13 at this World Cup. Or, perhaps: he was wearing it.