An overseas commentator has become a viral sensation after singing Shakira’s “Waka Waka” during Bafana Bafana’s Africa Cup of Nations win over Cape Verde. Before Cape Verde’s final penalty, an Arabic commentator broke into song on air, delighting social media with his comedic brilliance.
Man of the Match, Ronwen Williams, made a record-breaking four penalty saves, helping Bafana to a narrow 2-1 shoot-out victory. The final spot kick was taken by Qarabag midfielder Patrick Andrade, and it was Williams’ fourth penalty save of the day, with the commentator Mohamed Barakat singing Shakira’s “Waka Waka” before it was taken.
Perhaps Barakat felt that it was Bafana’s shoot-out to lose after witnessing the Mamelodi Sundowns shot-stopper saving three spot kicks before that, almost celebrating South Africa’s win before it happened. Commentating for beIN Sports, Barakat broke into song when Andrade stepped up to take the final penalty, with the camera panning to the gloomy faces of the Cape Verdean fans and on the team’s bench.
Andrade took the shot as Barakat sang: ‘It’s time for Africa’ and Williams saved the kick, earning his team a passage into the final four, where they’ll face Nigeria’s Super Eagles.