AFCON: S’Africans Threatening Nwabali Not To Return To His Club – Ex-Player Alleges

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has allegedly been threatened by South Africans, not to return to his club in the country. Nwabali plays for South African Premier Soccer League, Chippa United, as their first-choice goalkeeper. However, during an interview on Channels TV, Thursday, a former Super Eagles star, Idah Peterside, said : “We have gotten some reports of people sending messages to the goalkeeper, threatening him. I hear some saying ‘Don’t come back to South Africa since you didn’t want us to score when your team was playing. Stay back’.

“This is unacceptable. We have not heard of any violence, but just threats. They have been threatening him and others.”

Daily Trust reports that Nigeria on Wednesday defeated South Africa on penalties in the semi-final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake.

Both teams played out a one-all draw through the regular period and extra time before the Eagles triumphed 4-2 in the penalty shootout.

Nwabali, who saved two penalties, was declared man of the match.

Prior to the game, Nigerians in South Africa were warned against wide celebration should Super Eagles defeat Bafana Bafana. In an advisory, the high commission said: “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 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final match between the Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana on Wednesday 7th February 2024.

“Most of the comments consist of veiled threats against ‘Nigerians cooking jollof rice’ before the match, and ‘showing pepper to Nigerians if the Bafana Bafana lose to Super Eagles’, among others.
“In this regard, the High Commission hereby advises the Nigerian community to be watchful of their utterances, 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.
“Additionally, Nigerians should maintain the good conduct they are known for, and be law abiding before, during and after the match. Should any provocations arise, they should not be reciprocated but reported to the appropriate authorities.” Daily Trust