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FIFA WORLD CUP | In response to the online criticism and backlash, Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has urged football fans to unite in the globe, saying, "Let's leave politics to politicians and play football."

FIFA WORLD CUP | In response to the online criticism and backlash, Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has urged football fans to unite in the globe, saying, "Let's leave politics to politicians and play football." pic.twitter.com/yZe9po3GpT

— SABC News (@SABCNews) June 17, 2026

Ronwen Williams, the goalkeeper and captain of South Africa, says Africans have to support each other “in good and bad moments” and “leave politics to politicians”.

Williams spoke at the press conference ahead of South Africa’s second game in Group A against the Czech Republic at the 2026 World Cup.

He was reacting to online trolling and banter from other African aimed at the Bafana Bafana after their loss to Mexico in the opening match of the competition.

The lack of support for South Africa is a reflection of growing anger at the xenophobic attacks against other black Africans in the country.

Williams said he was a target of fabricated quotes criticising other Africans for not supporting his country during the Mexico match.

He added that the backlash from the false reports “does hurt” because “players are human beings as well”.

The Bafana Bafana captain then added that every African country has “politics” it is dealing with back home, but the continent must learn to set aside those and unite on the global stage.

“I’ve been a target over the last few days about things that I haven’t said. I didn’t speak anything about Africa and people supporting Mexico,” Williams said.

“I can remember, I’ve always said that, you know, as Africa, we are one, we support each other, you know, in good and bad moments, we’ve all got our own politics, we’ve got our own problems, our own fights that we deal with, you know, back home, you know, every country does, you know.”

“So, I mean, I don’t know where it stemmed from, and it does hurt, you know, because like I’ve mentioned, I’ve been attacked, obviously my country as well, for things that are going on back home and, you know, I’ve always said, you know, players are human beings as well.”

Bafana Bafana will face the Czech Republic on Thursday at 5 pm Nigerian time. Both teams are without a point in the competition after losing their opening matches.

https://www.thecable.ng/ronwen-williams-africans-must-support-each-other-leave-politics-to-politicians/

Xenophobia is a crime against fellow humans. Not politicians. And funny enough, it's the poor hunting the poor.

Fans cannot play football, they can only watch football my dear. The politics gives us something to talk off the field, even non football lovers are interested in that and want to see the story when you play on the pitch.

Na by force to support you

Are the politicians the ones chasing people out of their shops

The damage that would be done to the economy of south Africa would take years to repair

The mob is coming for both documented and undocumented foreigner

I advise all foreigners to leave and go back

You mean to say politicians are the one pushing for xenophobia

Guy 1 point you will not get in that WC going on

We hv withdraw our support for you guys

lol. Una never see anything

The thin don dey mentally effect them.

Stop beating around the bush.

South Africans go learn new thing, & dem go learn am the hard way.

Politics n Football are like siamese twins

Na that politics we prefer to play as una no gree get sense for Zulu Kingdom! Who South African football help?

They should understand that politics is part of life, it influences alot of things even in football. They better get their act right. A team without real supporters can feel demoralising on the pitch.

He should first condem his xenophobic people first. Then we can start taking him serious

I don't think this guy understands the weight of what's going on in his country, yes you can deport illegal immigrants, but why also harassing legal ones? Like crime will stop and all will be employed of they left.
The transport sector and music industry in SA are complaining already. Failed government in SA

tuoyoojo:
Na by force to support you

Are the politicians the ones chasing people out of their shops

Funny enough these same idiots demanding for support from other Africans have never for ones called their violent mob harassing innocent and legal immigrants to order. A man who says nothing in the face of evil is as guilty as those who directly perpetuate such evil. Most South African celebrities are keeping mute because they are fully in support of their violent mobs.

They are not Africans. They said so.

Una go cry




Very well 😂😂
Keep dreaming




Xenophobic people

Let them.beat you 3 Nill first.
We will discuss later.

U cant touch scent leaf without
Touching the smell

He should tell that to the families of those who lost their lives and livelihoods in the senseless xenophobia riot.
As for me and my household,at least for this tournament,we are not supporting South Africa.

They should l3ave xenophobia and work. They must return home from that world cup, no support from Africa.

U cant touch scent leaf without
Touching the smell.

My name for today is Duchoslav, see you at the stadium

U cant touch scent leaf without
Touching the smell

AnonPoet:
FIFA WORLD CUP | In response to the online criticism and backlash, Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has urged football fans to unite in the globe, saying, "Let's leave politics to politicians and play football."

FIFA WORLD CUP | In response to the online criticism and backlash, Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has urged football fans to unite in the globe, saying, "Let's leave politics to politicians and play football." pic.twitter.com/yZe9po3GpT

— SABC News (@SABCNews) June 17, 2026

https://www.thecable.ng/ronwen-williams-africans-must-support-each-other-leave-politics-to-politicians/

Its heartbreaking to see but the line has been drawn in the sand. It is what it is.

Wish them the best of luck for their people.

Oh so now he knows why other Africans don't support them?

Unfortunately Rowen, it is not politicians on the streets beating, killing, intimidating and otherwise harming their fellow Africans. So no, football will never be more important than human life.

Nooo we won't, not by force to support you black racists

Xenophobia is not political issue its a humanity issue

femi4:
Politics n Football are like siamese twins

You dey mind that idiot? Else why would the US refuse a FIFA accredited referee from participating in the world cup if not politics

the dragging continues . Banana 🍌 are going back home