Saying they were confused by their opponent’s green kit,
Bafana Bafana apologized for their violent conduct against tournament co-hosts,
Mexico, which resulted in them getting two red cards. They legitimately thought
the team was Nigeria and decided to assail them viciously in that manner during
the match.
Ronwen Williams, captain of the South African national
football team, did not mince his words. “See, back on the continent, Nigeria is
the team in green. And at home right now, it is okay, nay, encouraged to beat
up on Nigerians!” Williams clamoured.
“We were told by the higher-ups at South African Football Association and
Operation Dudula that whenever and wherever we find Africans away from home, we
administer harm of the highest order. Unfortunately, our instincts kicked in; I
guess you can say we saw red, well green, the moment we saw our opponents
looking like a spinach garden.”
Sphephelo Sithole, one of the red-carded players, allegedly
further emphasized that the mere sight of scorer Julian Quinones, who is
darker-skinned than his teammates, had particularly triggered him.
“You know, with Afrophobic violence, we almost only target
Black, Sub-Saharan looking individuals; so most of the lighter-skinned team
would have been safe. But I saw this brother in the green shirt and thought ‘surely, That’s Oga over there’. I was wrong.”
Nigeria could not be reached for comment, as they are nowhere
to be found at the World Cup.
