NAIROBI, Kenya – In a sports bar in the Kenyan capital, football fans erupted in celebration each time South Africa’s national team missed a scoring opportunity against the Czech Republic during their World Cup clash. The unusual scene reflects a wave of anger sweeping across Africa in response to xenophobic violence in South Africa.

“Everything is political in football. We’re against what South Africa is standing for,” said Shahim (37), a Kenyan woman who watched Thursday night’s match with growing satisfaction as the South African team struggled.

“We want them to react against what is happening in their country, but nothing happens,” she added.

South Africa has been gripped for months by protests demanding the departure of undocumented immigrants. Whilst the marches have never exceeded a few thousand people, they have been accompanied by widespread xenophobic hatred online and received significant media attention.

The situation has overturned the usual script during the World Cup, when African nations traditionally support each other on the global stage.

“We support all the other African teams. This is to teach them that there are consequences,” said Fatma (34), a farmer and friend of Shahim.

“When you have a superiority complex, you suffer alone,” she added.

South African authorities say they have repatriated 2 745 foreigners following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s promise to crack down on illegal immigration.

Ghana and Nigeria have repatriated several hundred of their citizens, whilst some 600 Mozambicans returned home after violence in the southern city of Mossel Bay left at least two people dead.

The developments have shocked many across the continent and turned football fans against Bafana Bafana, as the South African team is known.

There was widespread joy on social media when the team lost to Mexico last week. A popular meme showed a map of the African continent covered with the Mexican flag, with South Africa excluded.

“The whole continent seems to have become Afro-Mexican,” said Wode Maya, a popular vlogger in Ghana, asking his fans to reply in Spanish.

Even Ibrahim Sannie Daara, a spokesperson for the Confederation of African Football, joined in, posting on X: “You cannot mistreat Africa and still expect Africa’s full blessing on the world stage.” He later moderated his remarks and called on all Africans to support the South African team.

Mixed reactions

The atmosphere remained relaxed in the Nairobi bar visited during the Czech Republic match, which ended in a draw, where a few South Africans were present.

Edwin, a Kenyan communications professional, said he was determined to support all African teams.

“You can’t judge a whole country because of a minority,” he said, recalling even harsher times in east Africa when dictator Idi Amin expelled tens of thousands of Ugandans of Indo-Pakistani origin in 1972.

However, others were less forgiving.

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“It is not because you don’t have jobs that you can attack Africans,” said Richie, a Tanzanian consultant visiting Nairobi, recalling his country’s support for black South Africans during the apartheid era.

“Unless they change, we will do it over and over,” he added.

The South African Football Association issued a statement on Wednesday denouncing the “online harassment and abusive messages” directed at its players.

At a press conference on Thursday, Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams admitted the situation was difficult.

“It does hurt. 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.

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