Zimbabweans support Nigeria’s win against South Africa

Excitement and jubilation fill the air in Zimbabwe with support after Nigeria emerged victorious against South Africa in the AFCON semi-finals. The intense showdown took place at the Peace Stadium in Bouake, Ivory Coast, showcasing the fierce rivalry that often spills over onto social media platforms.

Zimbabweans Unexpectedly Support for Nigeria

Traditionally supporting their neighbour, South Africa, Zimbabweans took an unexpected turn, throwing their support behind Nigeria in this crucial match. The fervent cheers and celebrations erupted as Nigeria secured a well-deserved win, turning the tide in the eyes of many Zimbabweans.

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Match Highlights: Nigeria vs South Africa

The match kicked off with an impressive goal from William Troost-Ekong in the first half. However, South Africa quickly retaliated, levelling the score with a penalty kick by Teboho Mokoena. As full-time approached, the score remained deadlocked at one goal each, leading to an intense period of extra game time. Despite the added minutes, the scoreline persisted, ultimately leading to a nail-biting penalty shootout. Nigeria emerged triumphant with a 4-2 scoreline, securing a spot in the AFCON final while South Africa faced disappointment.

Zimbabwe’s Shift in Allegiance

The reasons behind Zimbabweans’ enthusiastic celebration of South Africa’s defeat can be traced back to events beyond the football field. In 2023, when South Africa’s Rugby team claimed the World Championship title, Zimbabweans joined in the celebration. However, their joy was short-lived as South Africans criticized them on social media, labelling them ‘international orphans.’

This derogatory term stemmed from the economic challenges forcing many Zimbabweans to seek opportunities in South Africa. The use of ‘international orphans’ fueled anger among Zimbabweans, leading to a shift in their support during the AFCON, distancing themselves from Mzansi.

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Below are some of the comments on X:

@advocatemahere

Jollof rice for dinner! Playing Afrobeats!

@RileyFlexx

The streets are quiet , congrats to Joloff boys…

@Am_Blujay

Congratulations to Nigeria Well Done

@antonmukuwa

If you are an international orphan,just type Oga!