“I Supported South Africa Despite Everything” — Sannie Daara Calls for African Unity at the World Cup

Media Officer with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Ibrahim Sannie Daara has urged Africans to rally behind every African nation competing at the FIFA World Cup, insisting that success for one team benefits the entire continent.

Daara made the appeal while reflecting on the reaction of some African supporters who backed Mexico against South Africa during the opening match of the tournament.

Although he acknowledged frustrations over recent xenophobic incidents in South Africa, Daara said Africans must not allow the actions of a minority to destroy continental solidarity.

“As Africans, we are brothers,” he said. “Wherever we find ourselves, whether black, white, Arab, Indian or whatever it is, we are brothers.”

The football administrator admitted he was surprised by the scale of support for Mexico but said he understood the disappointment many Africans feel over attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa.

However, he insisted that the vast majority of South Africans do not share those views.

“I was in South Africa three weeks ago. Very welcoming people,” he said. “South Africans are very warm people.”

Daara called on supporters across the continent to look beyond political tensions and focus on collective African success.

“I supported South Africa,” he said. “Despite all the problems, I think that we are Africans first.”

He further appealed to fans to continue backing African teams throughout the competition.

“I’ll plead with fellow Africans to lay down their arms and wear the Bafana Bafana jersey and support Bafana Bafana for the rest of the matches.”

According to him, African unity in football sends a powerful message to the rest of the world and reinforces the continent’s shared identity on the global stage.