The government of Nigeria has warned Nigerians living in South Africa ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 semi-final clash between Nigeria and South Africa on Wednesday, February 7,2024.
According to a statement by the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, the warning is an advisory on safe conduct for Nigerians in South Africa before, during and after the match.
“The attention of the Nigeria High Commission Pretoria has been drawn to potentially inflammatory online comments made by a section of South African citizens against Nigerians living in host country, largely influenced by the upcoming 2024 AFCON semi-final match between the Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana,” read part of the statement.
According to the statement, most comments flagged consist of veiled threats against natives from Nigeria in the Southern Africa country.
They include “Nigerians cooking jollof rice” before the match, and “showing pepper to Nigerians if the Bafana Bafana lose to the Super Eagles”, among others.
In this regard, the Nigerian High Commission advised Nigerians to be watchful of their utterances while in the foreign country.
“Be mindful of where they choose to watch the match especially in public places, and refrain from engaging in loud, riotous or provocative celebrations should the Super Eagles win the match,” the statement added.
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Additionally, Nigerians have been instructed to maintain good conduct and be law abiding before, during and after the match.
The Nigerian High Commission further advised its citizens to avoid reciprocating any provocations but report to the appropriate authorities.
Nigeria vs South Africa
South Africa booked their place in the semi-final stages of the AFCON 2023 on February 3, 2024.
The Bafana Bafana won after a penalty shootout in the quarter-final match against Cape Verde, following a barren draw after extra time.
South Africa’s hero of the night was goalkeeper Ronwen Williams who saved 4 penalties in the penalty shootout.
This result set a fiery clash against West African rivals Nigeria who had booked their place after an impressive 1-0 win against Angola on February 2.
Bafana Bafana will be making their first ever AFCON semi-final appearance since the year 2000.
Also Read: Profile of Ronwen Williams; First Goalkeeper to Save 4 Penalties
Nigerians in Kenya
Also, in Kenya the Nigeria High Commission in Kenya on January 17, Wednesday responded to the reports linking its citizens to killings in the country.
The commission noted that it was concerned by online blogs, doctored videos and social media posts, maliciously entrenching speculation that ‘Nigerians’ had perpetrated these heinous crimes.
The office raised concerns that Nigerian citizens were being targeted in the online attacks.
Furthermore, it urged nationals residing in Kenya to remain calm and law-abiding as investigations into the cases continue.
“Nigerians in Kenya are advised to be vigilant and avoid unnecessary movements even as investigations are ongoing and formal communication from Kenyan law enforcement authorities are awaited,” the memo reads.
Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura also weighed in on the trend, dismissing these reports about Nigerians as false and misleading.
Mwaura was speaking during a press briefing on February 1, 2024, providing the National Government update at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
He addressed several key issues affecting the country including the recent killings recorded in the country for the past one month.
Particularly, addressing femicide cases, Dr Mwaura said that the blame should not be pointed out to foreigners of Nigerian decency.
