Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has done his best to quell brewing xenophobia tensions, particularly those directed at the national team.
This comes amid escalating conflict on social media and in the streets over the repatriation of foreign nationals in South Africa, both by government and anti-migrant groups.
In a press conference alongside coach Hugo Broos, Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams addressed South Africa’s performance in the FIFA World Cup, including their upcoming match against Czechia.
The goalkeeper responded to questions about a viral fake quote attributed to him, which appeared to stir tensions between South Africa and other African countries.
He said: “I have been a target about things that I have not said. I didn’t speak anything about Africa or people supporting Mexico. I’ve always said, as Africa, ‘We are one’. We support each other in good and bad moments. We’ve got our own politics, our own problems, our fights that we deal with back home”.
Williams added that players were “hurt” by personal attacks.
“We are human beings as well”, he added.
The Bafana captain urged fans, particularly Africans, to put their differences aside, both on and off the pitch.
He continued: “Let’s enjoy [the World Cup]. Let’s leave politics to the politicians, let’s just play football and criticise us for what happens on the field. Off-the-field things, you can’t deal with that. It’s got nothing to do with us.
“As Africa lets unite. We are all in this together.”
SA VS CZECHIA
Bafana Bafana will take on their second group-stage match against Czechia on Thursday, 18 June, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, US.
The match kicks off at 18:00 South African time.
Coach Hugo Broos has stated that “It’s a very important game”
He said during the press conference: “If you don’t lose, you still have a chance. But if you lose, then it will be a calculation of what happens in the other groups.
“If you lose, I think it will be very difficult, even with the third place to be in the next round.”
To advance to the next round, South Africa would have to finish in the top two places of Group A, which includes South Korea, Mexico and Czechia. Securing a third spot would also advance them, as eight of the best third-placed teams across all 12 groups will also advance to the Round of 32.
According to pundits, Bafana would need at least four points to progress out of the preliminary stage.