The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has discussed the safety of Nigerian football fans in South Africa ahead of tonight's Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash against Bafana Bafana.
DIRCO took to Twitter/X to respond to a statement made by the Nigeria High Commission in Pretoria on Tuesday.
The Nigerian embassy issued a statement warning Super Eagles football fans in South Africa to be wary of how they celebrate should their team triumph over Bafana Bafana.
Read: Mpengesi: Chippa Stand Behind Super Eagles
Then DIRCO responded with an official statement on X, underlining that there's no history of hooliganism related to the rivalry between these two international teams.
"DIRCO has learned about an unfortunate advisory issued by the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Pretoria.
"The advisory is regrettable as it seems to create alarm and unnecessary tension between South African citizens and Nigerians living in or visiting SA."
DIRCO also mentioned that Bafana Bafana have encountered the Super Eagles on a number of occasions in the past, which have resulted in no incidents of "soccer hooliganism."
"The South African national football 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."
Here are DIRCO's posts on X, some of which were made by spokesperson, Clayson Monyela and others by DIRCO's official Twitter.
We are confident that the sports-loving nation of South Africa poses no threat to Nigerian citizens, and we do not agree with the apprehension expressed by the High Commission.
— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) February 6, 2024
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.Enquiries: Mr Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO, 082 884 5974ISSUED BY DIRCO
— DIRCO South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) February 6, 2024
Monyela's response to the Nigerian embassy's statement:
This is a very unfortunate regrettable statement issued by our Nigerian friends. It creates unnecessary alarm tension. #BafanaBafana have played the Super Eagles many times there's no history of soccer hooliganism associated with the outcome of such encounters.… https://t.co/STdK5U1XtT
— Clayson Monyela (@ClaysonMonyela) February 6, 2024
The hotly-anticipated encounter between Bafana Bafana and the Super Eagles promises to be a humdinger, as two of the strongest remaining defensive units in the tournament aim to maintain their solidity until the end.
Bafana will hope to cause plenty of trouble for Nigeria's back five with the likes of Themba Zwane and Percy Tau, while Bafana's all-Sundowns defence will have their work cut out for them coming up against the likes of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.
