Football fans across West Africa took to social media to celebrate after South Africa’s Bafana Bafana suffered a 2-0 defeat to Mexico in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The match at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City saw the co-hosts dominate proceedings from the start.
Julián Quiñones scored the first goal of the tournament in the ninth minute to hand Mexico an early lead.
South Africa’s task became more difficult after midfielder Yaya Sithole was sent off in the 49th minute, reducing Bafana Bafana to 10 men.
Mexico capitalised on the advantage, with veteran striker Raúl Jiménez heading home in the 66th minute to secure the victory.
The match ended with further disciplinary issues as South Africa’s Themba Zwane and Mexico’s César Montes were both shown red cards in the closing stages.
Away from the pitch, the result sparked widespread reactions from football fans in Nigeria and Ghana, many of whom openly backed Mexico before the game.
The celebrations reflected tensions that extend beyond football rivalry. Social media users and commentators linked their support for Mexico to long-standing concerns over xenophobic attacks and discrimination against African migrants in South Africa.
The issue also drew attention from media personality Reuben Abati, who publicly encouraged West Africans to support Mexico as a symbolic rejection of the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa.
Some fans also pointed to previous football exchanges between the countries, including instances where South African supporters mocked Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the World Cup, as another reason for the strong reactions.
Several Nigerians shared their views on X following the result. X user @Betwizadtips wrote: “Cheers to South Africa Loss.”
Another user, @gibmemegems, wrote: “They no fit pursue ordinary ball, but if na to pursue foreigners them go sabi.”
Also reacting, @Opeolu_waa said: “South Africans can’t get the ball out of their own half but can get other African citizens out of their country.”
The reactions highlighted how broader social and political issues shaped online conversations around South Africa’s opening defeat at the World Cup.
