The question on many lips after the match was simple: why did so many Africans support Mexico against South Africa? Ultimately, the decision for many Africans to support Mexico was not about football. It was a protest.
Mexico City – It was meant to be a celebration of football for the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But for millions of Africans watching, the game between Mexico and South Africa became a stage for a political protest rarely seen in sports history.
As Bafana Bafana suffered a crushing 2-0 defeat at the iconic Estadio Azteca on Thursday night, a significant portion of the continent celebrated not the African representative, but the Mexican victors. The reason was not tactical, but deeply personal: ongoing xenophobic violence against African immigrants in South Africa .
🚨 World Cup Updates
Africans were seen celebrating the Victory of Mexico 🇲🇽 over South Africa 🇿🇦.
It’s understandable ! #southafrica #mexico #worldcupusa https://t.co/7Ytkw8i1hn pic.twitter.com/gsswRzIo3o
— Collins FT 🌍 (@AbongeCollins) June 12, 2026
A Historic “Hate Watch”
Traditionally, during the World Cup, the continent unites behind its flag-bearers. However, the solidarity that usually exists was notably absent last night. Social media was flooded with Africans from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe openly cheering for Mexico and mocking South Africa’s poor performance .
The match, which saw South Africa reduced to nine men after red cards to Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane, ended in a 2-0 loss courtesy of goals from Julián Quiñones (9th minute) and Raúl Jiménez (67th minute) . But off the pitch, the damage to South Africa’s continental image was arguably worse.
Fans adopted Mexican names on social media (“Kwesi Emiliano,” “Kofi Miguel”) and donned sombreros in viral videos, declaring, “Today, we are all Mexicans” .
“You Cannot Chase Us and Expect Support”
The sentiment was best captured by the actions of individuals like Daniel Kaniki, a Congolese supporter in Atlanta, who told the BBC:
“Africa is like one country and if one is chasing others, we are not a family anymore. That’s why I’m supporting Mexico today” .
Kenyan lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi posted on X: “I hope South Africa is not blaming African migrants for the 2–0 defeat and two red cards” . Another user captured the frustration of many, commenting: “When fellow Africans are chased and attacked, don’t expect the continent to support you” .
This sentiment was widespread in Nigeria and Ghana, where many felt a sense of vindication. An X user (@Opeolu_waa) taunted:
“South Africans can’t get the ball out of their own half but can get other African citizens out of their country” .
The South African Response
The backlash has stung. Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Rowen Williams hinted at the emotional toll, suggesting that the “lack of support from fellow Africans” contributed to the team’s poor morale .
On the political front, anti-immigration activist Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, whose “March and March” group has been central to recent xenophobic demonstrations, clapped back at the continent. Following the match, she lashed out at critics on Facebook:
“Supporting Mexico still didn’t fix your country. You’re still not Mexican; you’re still from a country that is underdeveloped!”.
A Pattern of Violence
The anger did not materialize out of thin air. For months, South Africa has witnessed a surge in anti-immigrant rhetoric and violence. Groups like Operation Dudula and “March and March” have accused foreign nationals of exacerbating the country’s high unemployment rate (over 30%) .
Recently, a vigilante group issued an ultimatum for undocumented immigrants to leave by June 30. This has led to deadly consequences; at least five Mozambicans were reportedly killed in Mossel Bay alone . Consequently, nations like Ghana, Nigeria, and Malawi have begun evacuating their citizens .
The Nuance
Despite the widespread trolling, not all Africans turned their backs on South Africa. In South Sudan, which has historical ties to the anti-apartheid struggle, fans rallied behind Bafana Bafana .
Furthermore, South African supporters robustly defended their nation online, posting: “We qualified for the World Cup alone without your support… illegal immigrants will still leave our country whether you hate us or not” .
The AfricanaWeb Perspective
While the loss of sporting solidarity is sad, the root cause is not football—it is the failure of leadership in addressing “Afrophobia.” The cheers for Mexico were not an attack on South Africans, but a rejection of the policy of “foreigner hunting.”
This is a warning sign for South Africa. As the country attempts to rebrand and host global events, the image of Africans being attacked by other Africans on the continent’s most industrialized soil is a diplomatic and economic liability. Until the attacks stop, the “hate watch” will continue.
