Khvicha Kvaratskhelia sparks debate over possible move to South Africa's Bafana Bafana
Georgian footballer Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is at the centre of social media speculation over a possible move to South Africa’s national team, Bafana Bafana.
Image: Lasha Kuprashvili
Social media is abuzz with speculation that Georgian footballer Khvicha Kvaratskhelia might be joining South Africa’s national team, Bafana Bafana.
Fans and pundits have taken to platforms like TikTok, X and Facebook to weigh in, sparking debate across the football community.
The rumours began circulating after a video appeared online in which Kvaratskhelia is reportedly seen saying, “I’m ready to play for my country and represent South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
Many users noted that the video appears to be AI-generated. In it, Kvaratskhelia is shown wearing a South African attire, and the editing quality was inconsistent, raising doubts about its authenticity.
Speculation also suggested that he has an Afrikaans grandmother from Kroonstad in the Free State.
No credible sources have confirmed this, and there is no evidence or documentation of any South African, Afrikaans or Dutch ancestry in Kvaratskhelia’s family history.
Despite the lack of proof, the rumours provoked strong reactions from the South African football fans.
One user wrote, “This is an insult to all hardworking South African players.”
Another commented, “Where were you when we were struggling with Bafana Bafana? Now you want to shine in the World Cup without sweating with the team.”
A third added, “No brother. You play well, but let those who qualify go ahead with their qualifications. Next time we know you are ... we will contact you.”
A fourth said, “Georgia didn't qualify, so he must stay with Georgia. You can't love a country only after seeing it succeed.”
According to the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) website, Kvaratskhelia was born in Tbilisi, Georgia, on February 12, 2001, and joined his local club, Dinamo Tbilisi, at age 11.
He now plays for PSG, becoming the first Georgian in the club’s history, and he is a key player for the Georgian national team.
His family background is fully Georgian.
Reports state that his mother, Maka Lukava, is Mingrelian from western Georgia, and his paternal grandmother, Gulu Kvaratskhelia, is also from the Samegrelo region.
Information about his maternal grandmother is limited, but all known family members are ethnically Georgian with deep roots in the country.