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Ghanaian dancehall star Shatta Wale has once again found himself at the center of online chatter after taking a playful swipe at South Africa following Bafana Bafana’s 2-0 defeat to Mexico in their opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Never one to miss a trending moment, Shatta Wale jokingly blamed the result not on tactics, missed chances, or Mexico’s quality, but on what he described as a “spiritual curse.”
Reacting on social media after the final whistle, the outspoken musician suggested that South Africa’s struggles on the pitch could be linked to the country’s treatment of fellow Africans living within its borders. His comments arrive against the backdrop of long-running conversations about xenophobia and anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa.
“They lost to Mexico because of a spiritual curse,” Shatta Wale reportedly quipped, instantly adding fuel to an already buzzing online debate.
South Africa’s World Cup campaign got off to a disappointing start as Mexico secured a comfortable 2-0 victory. While football analysts focused on the action on the field, many social media users across Africa turned their attention elsewhere, drawing connections between the result and ongoing concerns about the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa.
In the buildup to and during the match, numerous African fans openly declared their support for Mexico, arguing that their loyalties were influenced by reports of hostility toward migrants. Following the defeat, social media platforms were flooded with memes, jokes, and celebratory reactions from users across the continent.
As expected, Shatta Wale’s remarks divided opinion. Some fans laughed off the comments as classic Shatta Wale trolling, while others felt it was unfair to use football as an opportunity to mock an African nation competing on the world’s biggest stage.
The episode serves as yet another reminder that in the age of social media, football rarely stays confined to the pitch. Politics, social issues, celebrity commentary, and sporting results often collide, creating conversations that travel far beyond the final scoreline.
With another crucial World Cup fixture on the horizon, South Africa will now be hoping to silence both its critics and its online comedians by bouncing back in style.
