South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation has condemned the statement from Nigerian High Commission in South Africa warning Nigerian football fans to refrain from exuberant celebrations should the Super Eagles defeat the Bafana Bafana in today’s semi-final clash of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa will be rekindled in Ivory Coast as Bafana Bafana face Super Eagles in the first semi-final of the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday at the Stade de la Paix.
The Nigeria High Commission on Tuesday issued an advisory to Nigerians living in South Africa, telling them to be cautious before, during, and after the AFCON semi-final between both countries.
The warning from the Nigerian High Commission was to prevent the outbreak of xenophobic attacks by angry South African fans.
But the South African government has slammed Nigeria saying the statement created a “false alarm”.
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) said there was “no history of soccer hooliganism among South Africans” at matches against Nigeria.
“We are confident that the sports-loving nation of South Africa poses no threat to Nigerian citizens, and we do not agree with the apprehension expressed by the High Commission,” Dirco added.
“The advisory is regrettable because it seems to create alarm and unnecessary tension between the citizens of South Africa and Nigerians living in or visiting South Africa.”
South Africa has seen a wave of xenophobic attacks against Africans who have moved there from elsewhere in the continent, often for better economic opportunities.
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