SA Captain Urges African Fans: Keep Politics Out of Football

South Africa skipper Ronwen Williams has appealed to football fans across the continent to unite behind their teams and leave politics out of the game. Speaking after his side’s 2-0 loss to co-host Mexico at the 2026 World Cup opener, Williams denied claims that he had criticised other African nations for supporting Mexico. He said his words were misrepresented and insisted he has always championed African unity. The goalkeeper called on fans to judge players by their performance on the pitch, not by political debates they cannot control. He reminded everyone that the beauty of football lies in its power to bring people together, regardless of nationality or background. Williams asked that “politics be left to politicians” and urged Africans to enjoy the tournament, support all African teams and focus criticism only on what happens during matches.

Use The App To Win ₦1m

Stories are shared by community members. This article does not represent the official view of NaijaWorld — the author is solely responsible for its content.