2026 World Cup: Abati Tells Nigerians To Support Mexico Against South Africa, ‘Adopts’ Mexican Name

Former presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati, has urged Nigerians to support Mexico against South Africa in the 2026 World Cup clash between the two countries.

Naija News reports that Abati, who made the call on Thursday while speaking on Arise Television ahead of the game between the two countries, spoke against the backdrop of the xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.

According to him, Nigerians will be safer supporting Mexico than South Africa, so the fellow African nation would not say their job has been taken over in that regard again.

The other journalists in the studio agreed with him, and jokingly all adopted Mexican names to buttress their points.

“Today, South Africa and Mexico will be playing the first match of the World Cup. I urge all Nigerians to support Mexico. Why should we support South Africa? They say we don’t like them, they say we are doing their job. Let’s not do their job. We will support Mexico,” he said.

See the video.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, will on Thursday receive 268 Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks in the country.

The returnees are expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, aboard an Air Peace evacuation flight.

According to Enikanolaiye, the flight is scheduled to land at about 5:00 a.m.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.

According to the statement, Enikanolaiye will represent the Federal Government in receiving the returnees.

The Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria in Pretoria, Ambassador Alexander Ajayi, will escort the first batch of 268 passengers to Nigeria and formally hand them over to the minister.

The ministry also said the ongoing screening of Nigerians willing to voluntarily return home due to the xenophobic attacks had been extended to Sunday, June 14, 2026.

It said the extension was to accommodate more affected persons who wished to leave South Africa.

According to the ministry, the decision reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians abroad.

The ministry assured that relevant ministries, departments and agencies had made adequate arrangements for the returnees.