A viral video capturing Nigerians celebrating their national football team’s triumph over South Africa in the Africa Cup of Nations(AFCON) has taken social media by storm.
In the footage, jubilant Super Eagles supporters can be seen teasing their rivals by dousing themselves with liquid while chanting along to the popular track “Water” by South African artist Tyla.
The timing of the revelry coincides with Tyla’s recent Grammy win for Best African Music Performance, a victory that has stung some disappointed Nigerians who have vowed retaliation in the upcoming Afcon semi-final match.
Across both nations, the trending hashtag #NGARSA has sparked playful banter as fans exchange light-hearted jibes.
Among the topics of jest, Nigerians have cheekily asserted the superiority of their jollof rice over South Africa’s Bobotie, a traditional spicy mince-meat dish.
Yet, the primary focus of the banter remains on music, with Nigerians championing the distinctiveness of Afrobeats and suggesting that South Africans stick to their signature Amapiano genre—a fusion of hip-hop, soul, and slowed-down house music.
Popular Nigerian pastor Jimmy Odukoya has also joined the jesting by commending Bafana Bafana for their performance despite their defeat, but telling the South African players, “You need water.”
He added, “If it’s any consolation, it’s Grammy water.”
Most South Africans are expected to support the Ivorians as Nigeria faces the hosts in the final on Sunday.