Sports

AFCON 2023: Proactive Over South African Threat, Football Fans Urge FG

Published

2 years ago

February 6, 2024

Some Nigerian football fans have urged the Federal Government to take proactive measures, to protect the lives of Nigerians living in South Africa, following threats by some fans in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that an advisory by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, advised Nigerians to be cautious of their movements, comments and maintain good conduct before, during and after the AFCON semifinal clash on Wednesday.

NAN reports that it made reference to alleged comments online from South Africans threatening Nigerians living in their country, should South Africa lose the match to Nigeria.

The fans spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Keffi Local government area of Nasarawa State.

Solomon Abari, former chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Nasarawa State chapter, said football is not a do-or-die affair.

“If the situation is not checked, the essence of the AFCON tournament of fostering unity would be defeated.

“Africans should not be thinking in that direction because if they do, the whole essence of the tournament will be defeated,” he said.

Linus Oota, a football fan described the threat to innocent Nigerians for supporting their country as uncivilised and uncalled for.

“Sports particularly football, unites people. So if we have a match with them and they are threatening to attack our people, then those making those threats are uncivilized.

“This is a sporting activity that is supposed to unite and strengthen the bond between the two countries. For the Nigerian ambassador to be issuing advisory shows the seriousness of the matter,” he said.

He said that those issuing the threat have no confidence in the ability of the Bafana Bafana against the Super Eagles in the AFCON semi final clash.

“The match is yet to be played and they are acting this way. Does it mean they don’t trust their team?

“Have they foreseen that they are going to lose the match and then they are extending the anger to innocent Nigerians in South Africa.”

He called on the Nigerian government to issue a strong warning to the South African government to call their citizens to order.

Esther Akaa, Assistant Secretary, SWAN Nasarawa state chapter also called on the Nigerian government, through the High Commission, to take steps to protect Nigerians from any form of attack.

“This is the time for the Nigerian ambassador to sit up and ensure that Nigerians in South Africa are protected.

“The ambassador should liaise with the security outfits there to ensure Nigerians are not attacked after the match on Wednesday,” she said.

She urged those South Africans threatening Nigerians not to resort to violence but pray for their team to emerge victorious.
(NAN)

Related Topics:#AFCON #Super Eagles Bafanbafa

Up Next

UPDATED: Super Eagles qualify for AFCON final after defeating South Africa On Penalties

Don't Miss

JUST IN: Osimhen Cleared By Doctors, To Join Teammates In Bouake

Comments

Sports

CRASH: Anthony Joshua Opens Up On Friends’ Death

Published

1 day ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

Former world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, has said the death of his two friends posed a tough time for him.

Recall that a car conveying the boxer earlier this month, rammed into a stationary truck along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The accident claimed that lives of his personal trainer, Kevin Latif Ayodele, and his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami.

In a post on his verified Facebook page on Thursday, the former heavyweight champion said it was tough for him.

Joshua acknowledged that the incident was “even tougher” for the parents of the deceased.

He wrote, “Thank you for all the love and care you have shown my brothers. I didn’t even realise how special they are.

“I’ll just be walking with them and cracking jokes with them, not even knowing God kept me in the presence of great men.

“100% it’s tough for me, but I know it’s even tougher for their parents. I have a strong mind, and I believe God knows their hearts. May God have mercy on my brothers.”

Sports

NPFL: Kano Pillars Sack Two Players

Published

1 day ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

Kano Pillars have announced the departure of the duo of Umar Sani Yakasai Samuel Tiza.

Yakasai and Tiza’s contracts were terminated by the Kano-based club.

The Sai Masu Gida confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday.

“Kano Pillars FC wishes to announce that, following a mutual understanding, the club have amicably parted ways with striker Samuel Tiza and midfielder Umar Sani Yakasai,” Kano Pillars wrote in a statement confirming the players departure.

“Both players will now continue their careers elsewhere ahead of the second stanza of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League season.”

Kano Pillars is expected to make up for their departure with the signing of new players.

Sports

AFCON: It’s Not Possible – NSC On Super Eagles Players Requesting Cash Payment

Published

1 day ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Shehu Dikko, has insisted that it is not possible to pay the Super Eagles of Nigeria their match bonus in cash.

Dikko stated this while clarifying the situation about Super Eagles match bonuses following reports of players threatening to boycott training and refusing to travel to Marrakech for Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, quarter-final clash against Algeria on Saturday.

He spoke on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.

“Clearly, the players requested whether they could get some of these in cash, and they were told it’s not possible,” Dikko said.

“These bonuses are not paid in cash; they have to be paid through the bank, which is the normal procedure.

“The only ones they agreed to pay in cash are the daily allowances.”

The Super Eagles progressed to the last-8 after humiliating Mozambique 4-0 in the AFCON Round of 16.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Finance, Doris Nkiruka-Anite, had earlier disclosed that the Super Eagles players will start receiving their bonus money alerts today or tomorrow before the Algeria clash.