Xenophobia: Onoh urges Africans to back Mexico against South Africa in World Cup opener
By Denis Agbo
The Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly and former South-East Spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has urged Nigerians and Africans to throw their support behind Mexico against South Africa in today’s opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Onoh based his appeal on allegations of xenophobic behaviour in South Africa.
In a statement titled “Africa, Stand with Mexico Today: Let Us Boycott the Spirit of Xenophobia as We Did Apartheid in 1976,” he called on Africans to unite in support of Mexico as it faces South Africa in the Group A opener in Mexico City.
He compared the situation to the 1976 Montreal Olympics boycott, where 29 African nations, including Nigeria, withdrew in protest against New Zealand’s sporting links with apartheid-era South Africa. According to him, that collective action helped isolate the apartheid regime and contributed to its eventual collapse.
“Today, the situation appears reversed in a painful way. South Africa, the country we once supported in its liberation struggle, is now accused by many across the continent of persistent xenophobic attacks against fellow Africans,” he said.
He referenced reports of violence against Nigerian traders, Zimbabwean migrants, and other African nationals in parts of South Africa as justification for his position.
Onoh stressed that his remarks were not directed at South Africans as a whole, but at what he described as a concerning trend that contradicts the ideals of Ubuntu and African unity. He described Mexico, one of the tournament hosts, as a symbol of hospitality and respect among developing nations.
“This goes beyond football rivalry. Sport has always reflected deeper societal truths. In 1976, we used the Olympics to demand justice. In 2026, we should use the World Cup to send a clear message that xenophobia and ingratitude must not be ignored,” he stated.
He further encouraged Nigerians and Africans to express support for Mexico on social media and at viewing centres, and to ensure that South Africa’s Bafana Bafana “feel the impact of continental disappointment on the pitch.”