The strange tension between Kaizer Chiefs supporters and Bafana Bafana management has now manifested in a peculiar World Cup allegiance. A significant portion of Amakhosi fans have declared they will support Mexico at the 2026 tournament, largely because only a single Chiefs player—25-year-old left-back Bradley Cross—made the final squad, and he is expected to play a bit-part role. The sentiment, often expressed as “We are Mexico, and Mexico is us,” may carry a tongue-in-cheek tone, but it underscores a long-standing feud between the club and national team coach Hugo Broos. The real question, however, is how many Chiefs players genuinely warrant selection, and whether these same fans will now pivot to backing the Czech Republic.
Bafana Bafana opened their Group A campaign in disastrous fashion, losing 2-0 to Mexico with two players sent off. Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane both received red cards, severely handicapping a side that struggled to create chances even at full strength. Both will miss Thursday’s pivotal meeting with the Czech Republic. Meanwhile, the Czechs fell 2-1 to South Korea despite taking the lead in the 59