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South Africa’s sports minister has announced that Bafana Bafana will silence their critics in Atlanta next week, despite an opening World Cup defeat to Mexico and a lack of support from fellow African nations.
Gayton McKenzie took to X on Saturday to express confidence in the national team’s ability to bounce back.
“Bafana Bafana will silence many next week in Atlanta, go Boyz,” McKenzie wrote.
McKenzie also questioned the defeatist attitude of some fans following the 2-0 loss to the co-hosts.
“We only lost against Mexico, why do some of you act like it’s the end of our campaign?” he asked.
“What type of mentality is this?”
He reminded South Africans of their national character, insisting that the team thrives when counted out.
“Never forget that we are South Africans, when people write us off, we write ourselves in,” McKenzie said.
We only lost against Mexico, why do some of you act like it’s the end of our campaign? What type of mentality is this ? Never forget that we are South Africans, when people write us off, we write ourselves in, @BafanaBafana will silence many next week in Atlanta, go Boyz
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) June 13, 2026
Bafana Bafana received little backing from other African nations during their opening match.
Many fans across the continent openly cheered for Mexico instead, with some describing it online as a “hate watch” linked to tensions over migration and alleged xenophobia in South Africa.
McKenzie had earlier acknowledged the lack of continental support, saying on Friday that South Africa had “zero expectations” of backing from other African countries.
