South Africa continues to attract large numbers of migrants from neighbouring and other African countries, drawn by its relatively larger economy and labour market. However, long-standing challenges such as high domestic unemployment, strained public services and periodic outbreaks of xenophobic violence have intensified political pressure for tighter border controls and stricter migration enforcement.

On Thursday, before their press conference for the Argentina match in Miami, Cape Verde’s press officer said that the coach, Bubista, would not be answering questions about Mendes. When The Athletic attempted to ask him about the player, Bubista did not answer, and the press officer reiterated that he would only be taking questions relating to the match. When another reporter attempted to ask about Mendes’ state of mind, he, too, was shut down.

While "the American Experiment" claims to champion democracy, sovereignty and the rule of law, its conduct abroad has too often signalled a darker contradiction.