THE late, legendary Zimbabwe and Caps United wizard Stanley “Sinyo” Ndunduma relished the deafening, hostile roar of a packed Rufaro Stadium whenever he lined up against Dynamos.
When asked how he consistently produced masterclasses under such intimidating conditions, his response was as profound as it was surprising: he simply loved playing against the tide.
Decades later, on a completely different stage, tennis great Novak Djokovic echoed that same sentiment when explaining how he overcame a fiercely partisan Wimbledon crowd to defeat Roger Federer in the 2014 final.
True champions do not crumble under hostile pressure; they turn it into motivation.
Early on Thursday morning at the 2026 Fifa World Cup, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana proved they belong to that rare breed of resilient competitors.
Playing in front of a largely pro-Korean crowd at Monterrey Stadium, the South Africans etched their names into football history.
A hard-fought 1-0 victory over South Korea, secured by a superb 63rd-minute strike from 22-year-old winger Thapelo Maseko, earned Bafana Bafana a place in the Round of 32 for the first time in their history.
What makes South Africa’s achievement even more remarkable is not only the calibre of their opponents, but also the weight of negativity they had to endure from some of their fellow Africans.
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Following a disappointing 2-0 defeat to hosts Mexico in their opening match, social media platform X was flooded with posts from African users weaponising complex and painful geopolitical issues — particularly allegations of xenophobia back home — to ridicule the team.
Comments from some rival supporters in Zimbabwe and Malawi openly celebrated Bafana Bafana’s early struggles, telling them to “come back home”, where they “only concentrate on violence”.
Even South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams admitted the team felt isolated, saying from camp that it seemed as though “the whole of Africa is against us”.
I find this trend deeply troubling.
Much of this bitterness is disguised as social justice, but, if we are honest, it is also fuelled by sporting rivalry and disappointment.
Neighbours such as Zimbabwe, who fought valiantly but ultimately failed to qualify after a fiercely contested campaign that included South Africa, have, in some cases, allowed the pain of elimination to overshadow continental solidarity.
Africa remains structurally disadvantaged on the global football stage.
Although Fifa has expanded World Cup participation, African representation remains relatively limited compared to other regions.
Every African nation that succeeds helps raise the profile, credibility and competitiveness of African football.
When one African team performs well, the continent benefits.
Projecting cross-border political frustrations onto 11 footballers competing thousands of kilometres away in Mexico solves nothing.
It neither addresses diplomatic tensions nor eases the social challenges confronting our countries. Instead, it diminishes Africa’s image before the rest of the world.
The Fifa World Cup should be a stage where African nations stand shoulder to shoulder. Political borders may divide us geographically, but our footballing pride should unite us.
It is time for African supporters to set aside regional grudges, abandon the culture of hate-watching and celebrate the fact that Africa still has representatives competing on football's biggest stage.
To coach Hugo Broos, Williams the captain and the entire Bafana Bafana squad: you have already overcome your toughest opponent—doubt.
By blocking out the noise from both international critics and some continental detractors, you embodied the spirit of Ndunduma.
You stared down the hostile tide and chose to swim through it.
Reaching the Round of 32 is a significant milestone, but your story does not have to end there.
As you prepare to face co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles on June 28, play with the same courage, tactical discipline and attacking intent that silenced the Taegeuk Warriors.
You have shown the world that South African football possesses both the resilience to survive and the quality to succeed.
Keep your heads held high. Play for the badge. Continue making history.
The real lovers of African football are watching, appreciating and, at last, rallying behind you.
