Johannesburg: The Bafana Bafana of South Africa have dominated conversations on social media following their exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. South Africa progressed from the group stage for the first time in history but were knocked out by host nation Canada after a last-gasp goal from Stephen Eustaquio on June 28, 2026.
According to Ghana Web, the result meant the Bafana Bafana's run in the competition came to an end despite their impressive performance on the day. However, after the game, some social media users celebrated the elimination, claiming it was deserved due to South Africa's treatment of fellow Africans in their country.
Migrants have been ordered to leave South Africa by a June 30, 2026, deadline set by anti-immigrant groups, amid tensions over undocumented immigration. Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria, and other African countries have begun transporting their citizens out of South Africa to protect them from possible harm.
Some fans mocked South Africa online, saying they were going 'bek to their kentry' to reclaim jobs they claimed had been taken over by immigrants. Others suggested that South Africa should have been eliminated earlier in the group stages, which would have made the teasing even more entertaining.
Across several nations, social media users celebrated Canada's victory, praising them for 'doing their bidding' by eliminating South Africa amid ongoing tensions in the country.