It is fair to say that AmaZulu’s superfan Dlamini has truly gone global following events during the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on the Ivory Coast.
Following their impressive 4-2 victory over Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea’s players – led by Pablo Ganet – started an unknown celebration, though it would have been highly familiar to football fans in South Africa, particularly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.
The diminutive Usuthu’s number one supporter is seen regularly around the province doing the on-the-spot or up-the-steps run, before simulating a powerful header. It is then serenaded by the crowd who vocalise each climax of his movements enthusiastically.
Broadcaster beIN SPORT France’s Twitter account shared a video of the Equator-Guineans, which at the time of publication had been viewed over 420 000 times. This led to many South Africans proudly responding that one of their own had an impact across borders.
Dlamini came to national prominence with his jig during the 2023 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup that was held across Durban last July. He became so popular that the Bafana Bafana players invited him onto the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium pitch so that they would celebrate with him following a 2-1 victory over Botswana. He ended up becoming a temporary brand ambassador for the rest of the tournament, for good measure!
