As the senior Royal leader of Tshimbupfe Traditional community in Limpopo, I warmly extend my warmest best wishes to Bafana Bafana ahead of their much‑awaited 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against hosts Mexico later tonight.
On behalf of the people of our village, we extend our best wishes to head coach Hugo Broos, captain Ronwen Williams and all the players for a successful game tonight.
We are proud of our national team. We might be viewed as minnows at this global showpiece, but we encourage our players to emulate the class of 1996, who silenced their critics by lifting the African masterpiece trophy at the time.
As a nation, we are rallying behind our national team. We know it will be a difficult opening World Cup encounter against our opponents, but we believe our players have the capacity to shock the world.
For the first time this time around, Bafana Bafana will progress to the next stage of #WC2026.
Today, the people of the world will be mesmerised ed by our solid defenders Khuliso Mudau, Modiba and Mbokazi, who will keep the opponents’ strikers at bay for the full 90 minutes.
Our midfield maestro Teboho Mokoena, who knows how to control the game’s tempo, will teach our opponents free football lessons in front of their home fans and the millions watching around the world.
Captain Ya Ma 2000 Rele Mofokeng will dazzle the world with skill and flair, we are thetegore, asking all South Africans to hoist the flag high; while our country faces legal challenges related to immigration and concerns about corruption in the system, may we find unity in sport.
Bafana Bafana will lock horns with Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City later this evening.
Kick‑off for the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is expected to be a humdinger, is set for 21:00 SAST.
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His Royal Highness Vho‑Thovhele Adv. Tshedza Netshimbupfe is a senior Royal leader of Tshimbupfe Traditional community in Limpopo.