The normal display of African unity in the early stages of a football World Cup was notably absent from social media as many fans from across the continent backed Mexico in the tournament's opening match against South Africa.

South Africa head coach has decried the referee's decision to send of Themba Zwane in Bafana Bafana's World Cup opening 2-0 defeat by Mexico on Thursday, but insists that his team must reluctantly accept the decision.

SportsLine's team of experts have revealed their World Cup parlay and soccer predictions for Thursday's matches

Fans line up at Fan Fest in east downtown Houston ahead of Mexico vs South Africa opening match. Republicans' chances of losing control of House: 3 election forecasts Kyle Busch's widow reveals the bedside promise she made to her husband hours before his death US fired superfast torpedoes to sink its own aircraft carrier US oil reserves drop towards Reagan-era lows,

South Africa is gearing up for its first FIFA World Cup run since hosting the tournament in 2010, when they step onto the pitch as part of Group A for this year’s event in North America. Bafana Bafana,

Bafana Bafana’s FIFA World Cup game against Czechia will mark a historic milestone after an American woman was appointed to officiate the match.