| (Photo by Yuri Cortez/AFP) |
Some Nigerians, especially X, have taken to social media to mock South Africa after Bafana Bafana lost to Mexico in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup.
Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday.
The two South African players and the overall performance of the South African team during the game have made them the butt of jokes on social media.
Even other Africans joined in the joke, many of them pledging their allegiance to Mexico regardless of where the match was played.
Social media is full of Africans wearing Mexico's El Tri jerseys, dancing to Mexican music and naming themselves Latin Americans to express their dissatisfaction with South Africa.
The harmless joke is a reflection of growing anger in South Africa over xenophobic attacks against other black Africans.
Countries like Ghana and Nigeria are already repatriating their citizens from South Africa due to the attacks.
Below are some of the online pranks that took place after South Africa's defeat to Mexico:
South African player slaps Mexican player because he thought the player was Nigerian pic.twitter.com/WpX5YPqYp1
– gyaigyimii (@gyaigyimii) 11 June 2026
Even if South Africa🇿🇦 is playing alone, we will be supporting the stadium.
– George T. Diano (@georgediano) 11 June 2026
A black man scored the first World Cup goal and it was against South Africa. 2 for 2! pic.twitter.com/6qPBmWPA7n
– Inquilab (@tastefulsaucy) 11 June 2026
Egypt has the Red Sea, South Africa has the Red Cards pic.twitter.com/swlZy7vW6s
– OB (@CFC_OBED) 11 June 2026
After Mexico defeated Una, we started ordering Bolt to generate traffic to Johannesburg again.
No one will sleep in that stuffy South Africa today.
– Oiga Michael (@Nsukka_okpa) 11 June 2026
South Africa's attack seems to only work against Ghanaian and Nigerian businessmen
– Don (@Opresii) 11 June 2026
South Africa will be the first country to leave the World Cup
If you agree, say Aibo!
– Do2dtun Energy gAD (@iamDo2dtun) 11 June 2026
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