Kelvin Bowoto
Nigerians living in South Africa have been warned of potential xenophobic attacks ahead of Wednesday’s top-flight semi-final match between the Nigerian Super Eagles and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) competition in Cote d’Ivoire.
The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa issued a message on Monday warning Nigerians of impending attacks, implying that the Eagles were favorites to win the major match.
It cautioned the Nigerian community to be cautious of their words, to be wary of where they choose to watch the play, particularly in public locations, and to refrain from engaging in loud, riotous, or offensive celebrations if the Super Eagles win.
An advisory issued by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria stated: “The attention of the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria has been drawn to potentially inflammatory online comments made by a section of South African citizens against Nigerians living in the host country, largely influenced by the upcoming 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final match between the Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
“Most of the remarks consist of veiled threats against ‘Nigerians making jollof rice’ before the match and’showing pepper to Nigerians if Bafana Bafana lose to the Super Eagles,’ among others.
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“In this regard, the High Commission hereby cautions the Nigerian community to be cautious of their words, be wary of where they choose to watch the play, particularly in public locations, and refrain from engaging in loud, riotous, or offensive celebrations if the Super Eagles win the match.
“Nigerians should also retain their reputation for good behavior and follow the law prior to, during, and after the match. If any provocations occur, they should not be retaliated against but rather reported to the proper authorities,” the High Commission stated.
In recent years, Nigerians have faced an increase in xenophobic violence in the former Apartheid enclave, with the most recent occurring in 2019 when some Nigerians were slain and their property plundered by raging crowds. Nigerians responded by launching retaliatory attacks on South African companies in Lagos and sections of Abuja.
The Super Eagles have never lost a Nations Cup game to South Africa, so history is on their side.
Techrectory with Agency Report.
