Pretoria – The South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) on Tuesday dismissed safety concerns of Nigerians in South Africa as a “false alarm”.
This followed an advisory from the High Commission of Nigeria in South Africa, calling on Nigerians to be mindful of, where they choose to watch the AFCON semi-final match between the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana on Wednesday night.
The High Commission earlier advised Nigerians not to celebrate in a loud provocative manner should the Super Eagles beat the South Africans.
The warning followed what the High Commission described as threats against Nigerians living or visiting South Africa ahead of the crucial game.
However, Dirco said the advisory was “regrettable” because it seems to create alarm and unnecessary tension between South Africans and Nigerians living in or visiting South Africa.
“The South African national soccer team, Bafana Bafana, has played against their Nigerian counterparts, the Super Eagles, on many occasions, and there has been no history of soccer hooliganism among South Africans associated with the outcome of such encounters,” said Dirco spokesperson, Clayson Monyela.
He said they were confident that the sports-loving nation of South Africa poses no threat to Nigerian citizens, and do not agree with the apprehension expressed by the High Commission.
“As we have done in the past with similar alarming advisories, we call on the diplomatic representatives to approach Dirco to address any concerns about diplomatic matters,” Monyela said.
Meanwhile, the Nigerians have announced that Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, is fit and available for Wednesday’s semi-final against South Africa.
The availability of the Nigerian football star, who plays for Seria A club Napoli, was in doubt, but he has since joined the rest of the team in Bouaké, where he trained with the squad Tuesday.
SA Sport, Arts, and Culture Minister Goodenough Zizi Kodwa has rallied South Africans to get behind Bafana Bafana.
