Jessica Motaung, the Kaizer Chiefs director, has made a direct appeal to the club’s passionate fanbase, urging them to put national pride above club disappointment as Bafana Bafana prepare for their FIFA World Cup opener against Mexico. The call comes amid growing social media trolling of the national team, with some disgruntled Amakhosi supporters openly pledging allegiance to Mexico after only one Chiefs player, Bradley Cross, was named to the World Cup squad. Speaking at the 2026 Toyota Cup launch at the Kaizer Chiefs Village, Motaung stressed that while the club is proud of its representation, the entire Amakhosi nation should rally behind South Africa first, a clear attempt to stem the tide of pettiness and online mockery that has escalated in recent days.
The frustration from the Chiefs faithful is not without basis. Three Kaizer Chiefs players—Brandon Petersen, Thabiso Monyane, and Lebohang Maboe—were among those snubbed by Bafana coach Hugo Broos during squad selection. In a dramatic twist, those three players, along with others like Orlando Pirates’ Patrick Maswanganyi, have now been given a government-funded opportunity to attend the World Cup opening match in Mexico as supporters. Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie announced the trip, financed by the Department