South Africa’s World Cup campaign is facing an unexpected challenge beyond the football pitch, as growing anger over recent anti-immigrant sentiment in the country has led some African fans to openly support the team’s opponents.
At a sports bar in Nairobi, Kenya, football supporters cheered for the Czech Republic during South Africa’s World Cup clash on Thursday, saying their stance was a response to what they view as rising xenophobia in South Africa.
“Everything is political in football. We’re against what South Africa is standing for,” said Shahim, a 37-year-old Kenyan woman, celebrating every missed opportunity by the South African side.
“We want (South Africans) to react against what is happening in their country… But nothing happens,” she added.
South Africa has witnessed months of protests calling for the removal of undocumented immigrants. Although the demonstrations have attracted relatively small crowds, they have generated widespread online hostility toward foreigners and drawn significant public attention.
The development has disrupted the traditional sense of continental solidarity often seen during international football tournaments, where African nations typically rally behind one another.
“We support all the other African teams. This is to teach them that there are consequences,” said Fatma, a 34-year-old farmer.
“When you have a superiority complex, you suffer alone,” she added.
South African authorities say they have repatriated 2,745 foreign nationals following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s pledge to intensify action against illegal immigration.
Several African countries have also received returning citizens, including Ghana and Nigeria, while about 600 Mozambicans reportedly returned home after violence in the city of Mossel Bay left at least two people dead.
The developments have sparked disappointment across parts of the continent, with some football fans directing their frustration at Bafana Bafana.
Social media reactions intensified after South Africa’s defeat to Mexico, with one widely shared meme depicting Africa covered by the Mexican flag, excluding South Africa.
Popular Ghanaian vlogger Wode Maya joked that “The whole continent seems to have become Afro-Mexican,” encouraging followers to respond in Spanish.
Even Confederation of African Football spokesperson Ibrahim Sannie Daara joined the debate, writing on X: “You cannot mistreat Africa and still expect Africa’s full blessing on the world stage.” He later softened his position and encouraged Africans to support South Africa.
Despite the backlash, not everyone agrees with targeting the national team.
Edwin, a Kenyan communications professional, argued that an entire nation should not be judged based on the actions of a minority.
“You can’t judge a whole country because of a minority,” he said, recalling historical examples of ethnic expulsions elsewhere in Africa.
Others, however, maintained that the criticism was justified.
“It is not because you don’t have jobs that you can attack Africans,” said Richie, a Tanzanian consultant in Nairobi.
“Unless they change, we will do it over and over,” he added.
The South African Football Association condemned what it described as “online harassment and abusive messages” directed at players, saying such behaviour was “unacceptable”.
Speaking at a press conference, South Africa captain Ronwen Williams admitted the criticism had affected the squad.
“You want to focus on doing your job, which is being a footballer, but then you get involved in politics and you don’t want to get into that space,” he said.
As South Africa continue their World Cup journey, the team now finds itself at the centre of a broader continental debate over immigration, identity and solidarity in Africa.