South African singer Tyla's victory at the Grammys, beating four Nigerian nominees, has fuelled the rivalry as the two nations prepare to face off at the Afcon semi-finals on Wednesday.
"South Africa won today but Nigeria will win on Wednesday where it matters most" one user wrote on X.
Tyla won for her song Water in the Best African Music Performance, over Davido, Arya Starr and Burna Boy.
Nigerians have called on their national team, the Super Eagles, to avenge them.
"No Nigerian won a Grammy, but a South African won. This is Nigerians being generous so that when we win them in AFCON, they will have something to banter with," another user wrote on X.
Nigerian Afrobeats giant Burna Boy was nominated in a total of four categories but did not walk away with a golden gramophone, yet his spellbinding performance at the award ceremony left the audience in awe.
Despite the fierce rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa, Davido extended his congratulations to Tyla on X and told her to "keep soaring".
South Africa was also represented by comedian Trevor Noah who was at the helm of the prestigious award ceremony as he was hosting for a fourth time.
Tyla has become the youngest African Artists to win a Grammy at the age of 22.
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) February 5, 2024
She beat Burna Boy, Davido, Ayra Starr, Asake and Olamide to win the Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance for her song, Water.
She is the first award winner in the category. pic.twitter.com/MjMTUs9F2z
Congratulations to her!
— Brizzy☘️ (@bright___r) February 5, 2024
I hope her people don’t get xenophobic when we the super eagles defeat them on Wednesday
The Grammy decided to play Afrobeat while she was winning her Grammy; that shows they know nothing about our music. Congratulations to her!
— TeeTalk ???? (@obajemujnr) February 5, 2024
and on Wednesday we're about to embarrass whole nation of Nigeria again!
— Sandiso_ (@Sandiso__N) February 5, 2024
Nigerian ???????? are Fuming ????.????????????????????????????
— Gretchy (@Gretchen_Ndou) February 5, 2024
It's a skithttps://t.co/NdC94zXZTU
— Sir Jay (@ThesaaJay) February 5, 2024
With that terrible song??
— d e j????????????????♂️❤️ (@Babatundejr30) February 5, 2024