Bafana captain Ronwen Williams tells South Africans: 'Let's leave politics to politicians and play football'

Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has had enough. In a press conference on Wednesday, the goalkeeper told South Africans and the rest of the continent to stop dragging politics onto the pitch.

"I have been a target about things that I have not said," Williams said, responding to a viral fake quote that claimed he told fans to support Mexico over other African teams. "I didn't speak anything about Africa or people supporting Mexico. I've always said, as Africa, 'We are one'. We support each other in good and bad moments."

The fake quote surfaced as tensions around foreign nationals in South Africa have escalated — both on social media and in the streets, with government repatriations and anti-migrant groups making headlines. Williams said the personal attacks have hurt the players.

"We are human beings as well," he added.

"Let's leave politics to the politicians, let's just play football and criticise us for what happens on the field. Off-the-field things, you can't deal with that. It's got nothing to do with us. As Africa lets unite. We are all in this together."

Williams and coach Hugo Broos were speaking ahead of Bafana's second group-stage match against Czechia on Thursday, 18 June, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Kick-off is at 18:00 South African time.

It's a must-not-lose game. Broos said: "If you don't lose, you still have a chance. But if you lose, then it will be a calculation of what happens in the other groups. If you lose, I think it will be very difficult, even with the third place to be in the next round."

South Africa is in Group A alongside South Korea, Mexico, and Czechia. To advance automatically, they need a top-two finish. But even third place could be enough — eight of the best third-placed teams across all 12 groups also move to the Round of 32. Pundits say Bafana need at least four points to get out of the group stage.

The team has already played one match — a 2-0 loss to Mexico on June 14. That result puts extra pressure on Thursday's game. A win against Czechia would put them on three points, and a draw against South Korea in their final group match on June 23 could push them through.

Williams' plea for unity comes at a time when the country is divided over immigration. But for 90 minutes on Thursday, he wants the focus to be on football — not politics.