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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Sports

South Africa’s Williams hurt by lack of African support

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • South Africa's captain Ronwen Williams expressed disappointment over the perceived lack of support from other African nations during their 2026 FIFA World Cup match against Mexico.
  • Williams noted that many Africans appeared to support Mexico instead of the African representative, calling for greater continental unity.
  • Some social media users cited South Africa's history of xenophobic attacks as a reason for not supporting the national team.

South Africa captain Ronwen Williams voiced his dismay at the apparent lack of solidarity from fellow African nations during the team's opening 2026 FIFA World Cup match against Mexico. Bafana Bafana lost the game 2-0, leaving them with a challenging path to the knockout stages.

Africans have always supported other African countries in every World Cup tournament, but I can’t figure out why our own case is different.

— Ronwen WilliamsExpressing surprise at the lack of support from other African nations.

Williams stated his surprise at the number of African football fans who seemed to back Mexico over their continental counterpart. "Africans have always supported other African countries in every World Cup tournament, but I can’t figure out why our own case is different," Williams said. "Many Africans supported Mexico, not us, the South Africans. We almost shed tears, but it’s truly sad."

Many Africans supported Mexico, not us, the South Africans. We almost shed tears, but it’s truly sad.

— Ronwen WilliamsDetailing his observation of divided continental support during the match.

He appealed for greater unity, urging, "As Africans, let’s stand for each other, let’s stand together." However, the sentiment was not universally shared. Several social media users from countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe pointed to South Africa's ongoing issues with xenophobic attacks on African migrants as a significant factor influencing their support. Some openly admitted that past incidents involving foreign nationals in South Africa shaped their decision to support Mexico in this instance, highlighting a complex dynamic of continental solidarity.

As Africans, let’s stand for each other, let’s stand together.

— Ronwen WilliamsAppealing for greater continental unity in major tournaments.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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