South Africa captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has called on football fans across Africa and the rest of the world to unite and not allow political differences to overshadow the spirit of the game.
Williams made the appeal amid growing online criticism of South Africa during the ongoing FIFA World Cup.
South Africa’s World Cup campaign began on a disappointing note with a 2-0 defeat to Mexico in their opening match. Bafana Bafana also finished the game with nine men after two players were sent off.
The result quickly became a trending topic on social media, with fans from several African countries mocking South Africa’s defeat.
Much of the reaction was fuelled by lingering resentment over repeated xenophobic attacks in South Africa that have targeted migrants from other African countries, including Nigeria and Ghana. The incidents sparked widespread condemnation across the continent and forced many affected migrants to flee their homes and return to their countries of origin.
Ahead of South Africa’s next Group Stage match against Czechia, Williams urged football supporters across Africa and beyond to embrace unity and not allow political issues to divide them.
The Bafana Bafana skipper stressed that Africans are one people and should focus on celebrating football, promoting mutual respect, and supporting one another, regardless of nationality.
