South Africa’s FIFA World Cup campaign came to a dramatic end after a stoppage-time defeat to co-hosts Canada, sparking a flood of reactions from Nigerian football fans on social media, many of whom linked the result to the recent xenophobic attacks against foreign nationals in South Africa.
Bafana Bafana bowed out of the tournament after Canada’s captain, Stephen Eustáquio, struck a stunning injury-time winner to seal a 1-0 victory and book the hosts’ place in the next round.
Moments after the final whistle, social media platforms were awash with comments from Nigerian users, with many celebrating South Africa’s exit while recalling recent attacks on Nigerians and other African migrants living in the country.
Some posts described the defeat as “poetic justice,” while others revived the phrase “Go back to your country”, a slogan associated with anti-immigrant sentiment during the recent unrest.
The reactions came against the backdrop of heightened diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and South Africa following weeks of xenophobic violence that forced hundreds of Nigerians to return home and prompted repeated calls by the Nigerian government and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) for stronger protection of Nigerian citizens.
While many football supporters celebrated Canada’s victory, others urged restraint, noting that sporting rivalry should not be used to deepen divisions between Africans.
South Africa’s exit ends a spirited World Cup campaign, while Canada advances to the Round of 16, keeping alive the co-hosts’ dream of a deep run in the tournament.
