Dean Furman did not hold back. The former Bafana Bafana captain described South Africa's World Cup opener against Mexico as a "nightmare from start to finish," adding that the team were "miles off it." Those are the words of a man who wore the armband, and they land with weight.
The performance has sparked a wave of what can only be called hate-watching across the continent. Fans who want Bafana to succeed are tuning in with one eye closed, equal parts loyal and braced for disappointment. It is a very particular kind of love.
South Africa's opening result against Mexico has set a tense tone for their World Cup campaign. With Furman's verdict echoing loud on social media and in living rooms from Johannesburg to Nairobi, the pressure on the squad is real. The question now is whether the team can silence the noise or confirm every fear.
Originally published by BBC Africa.