2026 World Cup: It was pure pressure – Oliseh speaks on South Africa’s defeat to Mexico

Former Super Eagles midfielder, Sunday Oliseh, has said South Africa’s 2-0 loss to Mexico in the 2026 World Cup opener, was due to “pure pressure”.

Speaking on his podcast after the game, Oliseh insisted the defeat had nothing to do with tactics.

Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored for the co-hosts, while Bafana Bafana were reduced to nine men after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane received straight red cards.

“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.