What should have been a routine show of continental support turned into one of the World Cup's biggest online talking points, as many African football fans publicly backed Mexico over South Africa.
South Africa's Fifa World Cup opener against Mexico sparked more than a football debate.
Across social media, many Africans openly backed Mexico, using the match as a way to protest against xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa.
Rather than rallying behind a fellow African nation, football fans from several countries, including Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya, turned the Group A clash into an online statement.
The conversation quickly spread across X and TikTok, where users shared jokes, memes and criticism aimed at South Africa.
