Fikile Mbalula, the Secretary-General of the African National Congress, expressed gratitude after Bafana Bafana made history by advancing to the knockout stage for the first time. However, the minister’s assumption of who the team played for did not sit well with South Africans.
Also see: Broos says Bafana’s performance answered the ‘big mouths’
Fikile Mbalula’s message to Bafana Bafana
While the politician was quite active on X after the match against South Korea in Monterrey, Mexico, ended, one tweet in particular caught social media users’ attention.
The former Minister of Sports and Recreation wrote, “We did it for Africa. Thank you, boys. You are special; you made it. Thank you, thank you.”
We did it for Africa thank you boys you special u made it. Thank you thank you.
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) June 25, 2026
Also see: Cyril Ramaphosa praises Bafana Bafana after historic win
South Africans correct Mbalula
Mbalula’s comment section was flooded with local members of the online community, noting that Bafana Bafana did it for South Africa, not the continent as a whole.
@ReezaySA told the minister, “That’s where you are wrong. We did it for South Africa.”
“Don’t be that *sshole who says ‘we’ when talking about a team as if you’re part of the actual roster,” wrote @Madness_Madama.
@LeratoM1v shared their opinion, “Africa hates us because we are calling for the undocumented illegal foreigners to be deported. They hate us for calling on our government to implement its own laws. That’s not brotherhood, it’s bullying. SA did it, not Africa. Our boys made history without the support of the continent.”
“Trying to gaslight us won’t take away our joy,” shared @Billiad_billiad.
After seeing thousands of comments under the post, @Qhawe_Qwabe remarked, “I knew from the number of comments that he was getting cooked.”
Also see: Ronwen Williams calls for unity ahead of crucial Bafana clash
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