Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani became the toast of Internet memes after he seemed to suggest that Saturday's Copa America opponents Jamaica, was an African country.

Speaking to reporters before the defending champions' opening game against the Caribbean outfit, who goes by the name the Reggae Boyz on Saturday, Cavani - who stars for French team Paris St Germain, made the unbelievable gaffe.

"Like any other African team, Jamaica will be tough opponents," Cavan said.

The striker later took to social media to try and explain himself, stating that he was merely comparing playing styles.

First of all, I want to apologize to Jamaica and its people. In my mind, I have compared two similar styles and... pic.twitter.com/Z8O2tZbsxy — Edi Cavani Official (@ECavaniOfficial) June 11, 2015

"First of all I want to apologise to Jamaica and its people," Cavan started through a post from his official Twitter account.

"In my mind I was comparing similar styles and characteristics of the game between your team and other African teams but the truth is that I have expressed half of my reasoning and it went out bad and being perceived quite wrong," Cavani continued.

"My deepest public apologies and I hope it will be taken with humour and not as an offense," said the former Palermo and Napoli star.

Cavani will lead Uruguay's front line in the absence of Luis Suarez, who is still serving a ban for his bite on Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup.