Canadian rapper Drake walked away with a R17 million payout after Bafana Bafana’s heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Canada in the Round of 32 on Sunday.
Stephen Eustaquio’s dramatic stoppage-time strike ended South Africa’s historic World Cup run, sending Canada through to the Round of 16 for the first time in their history. While the result left South African football fans devastated, it proved hugely lucrative for one of Canada’s most famous exports.
Drake had revealed on social media that he had placed a $770,000 wager, roughly R13 million, on his home nation to win the clash. The bet returned a total payout of $1,001,000, around R17 million, leaving the Grammy-winning artist with a profit of more than R4 million.
The rapper shared the betting slip on Instagram before kick-off, referencing a playful exchange with South African DJ and producer Black Coffee. “Black Coffee was chirping in the DM. I had to raise the STAKES,” he wrote.
Drake has long been associated with the so-called “Drake Curse”, a superstition suggesting teams or athletes he publicly backs tend to lose. This time, the curse worked firmly in his favour.
Canada now turn their attention to the Round of 16, where they will face the winner of Monday’s clash between Morocco and the Netherlands, as the co-hosts continue their own definitive run through the tournament.
Photo: Simone Joyner/Getty Images for ABA
