The goalkeeper made the appeal ahead of South Africa’s next FIFA World Cup fixture against Czechia after the team suffered a difficult start to their tournament campaign.
South Africa opened their World Cup journey with a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Mexico and ended the match with nine players after two footballers received red cards.
Following the result, reactions spread quickly across social media, with fans from different African countries engaging in debates and criticism of the South African team.
Some of the backlash was linked to previous xenophobic attacks in South Africa that targeted migrants from other African nations, including Nigerians and Ghanaians.
The incidents attracted widespread condemnation across Africa, with some affected migrants forced to leave the country.
Addressing the situation, Ronwen Williams called for unity among Africans, emphasizing that football should serve as a platform to bring people together rather than create division.
“As Africans, we are one; let's leave politics to politicians and play football,” the South African captain said while encouraging fans to support the game beyond national disagreements.
Williams believes football has the power to connect people from different backgrounds and promote friendship among nations.
He urged supporters to focus on competition on the pitch while maintaining respect and solidarity outside the stadium.
The South African goalkeeper’s message comes at a time when international tournaments often create passionate rivalries between countries.
However, he stressed that sporting competition should not damage relationships between African nations.
As South Africa prepares for their upcoming match against Czechia, the team will hope to recover from their opening defeat while carrying the message of unity championed by their captain.
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