By Rorisang Modiba
- Viewers blasted the Fifa World Cup match broadcast because singer Tyla only got five seconds of actual singing screen time.
- Fifa heavily promoted Tyla before the Bafana Bafana opening World Cup match against Mexico at Estadio Azteca on Thursday night.
South Africans tuned in on Thursday night to watch the opening 2026 Fifa World Cup match. Bafana Bafana played Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Fifa said before the match that singer Tyla would perform.
Family WhatsApp groups were ready and fans expected a major moment. Many wanted to watch the Grammy Award-winning singer represent South Africa on a big stage.
Tyla sang the South African national anthem before kick-off. But viewers quickly posted on X and Facebook to complain that her performance was too short.
One fan posted online: “A pity we saw only five seconds of her actually singing…who’s directing this calamity of a broadcast?”
Another fan said: “Absolute disaster honestly, how do you not show the singer from all angles.”
Many joked that they missed the performance if they blinked. Others said she got less screen time than the match officials.
Fans were frustrated but they did not blame Tyla. Instead, they criticised the broadcast. They said Fifa heavily promoted her show but it felt like a brief teaser instead of a full performance.
South Africans were proud to see Tyla represent the country on the world stage. But many asked the same question when the national anthem ended: “Was that really it?”
Pictured above: Tyla.
Image source: @Tyla
