the Humanist view

“This is football made in Africa. One thing Portugal forgot is that in Congo they eat meat. They eat goat meat. You cannot bring your goat around Congolese and you think you are going to go free. You think your GOAT, Christiano Ronaldo is going to go free. In Congo they eat goat meat (@the_brawns aka J. Brawn on TikTok).”

This is how TikToker Brawn celebrated the 1:1 draw of Portugal versus Democratic Republic of Congo; of which among the former’s squad was the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time), Christiano Ronaldo.

Listening to TikToker Brawn, I found myself laughing out loud at how Africans tend to infuse humor in commentary of sporting events.

The creativity and word play on GOAT I found entertaining.

Especially, for us who are not die hard sports followers, and with minimal basic knowledge of football, the humor of commentors is what grabs our attention and interests us in the games.

Now, I am here wondering and interested in what TikToker Brawn will say in case the Congolese team is beaten by a team in which there is a GOAT.

Apparently, it was believed that this would have been the game in which Portugal would have scored many goals against Congo and would have earned extra points for their standing on the World Cup 2026 ranking.

TikToker Brawn also had humor on the beefing among Africans, where the Republic of South Africa has been singled out by others for incidences of black-on-black xenophobia in South Africa against other African nations.

TikToker Brawn in the same broadcast celebrated Mexico’s win 2:0 over South African, saying:

“South Africa is going to go far. Far away from the tournament. Far away from the World Cup.”

The overt lack of support from African football funs for South Africa at the World Cup 2026 is symbolic.

To send a message to the black-on-black xenophobic South Africans, and the leadership of South-Africa, that the rest of Africa is not happy with actions against us; or their silence or complicity with those mistreating the rest of us.

Who said, football is just a game devoid of politics. Me thinks, for the World Cup 2026 politics is front and center of the game. And it is hurting the South African squad, and many others, sadly.

I digress, I just thought I should share something humorous, for in our part of the world, current, we need it. We are legit scared. Laughter brings us much needed relief, even if just for a short while.