The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria issued a safety alert, but the Department of International Relations and Cooperation in South Africa (DIRCO) is not happy with it. It calls it a false alarm and calls it “regrettable.”
The department highlighted worries in a statement on Tuesday about potential altercations at today’s AFCON semi-final between South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and the Super Eagles, given the advisory.
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 South Africa (@DIRCO_ZA) February 6, 2024
“The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has learned about an unfortunate advisory issued by the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s High Commission in Pretoria,” the statement stated.
“It is unfortunate that the warning appears to be causing unwarranted anxiety and strain amongst South African residents and Nigerians who are visiting or residing in South Africa.
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There has never been any history of soccer hooliganism among South Africans related to the results of matches between the national soccer team of South Africa, Bafana Bafana, and its Nigerian rivals, the Super Eagles.
“We do not agree with the High Commission’s concerns, and we are confident that South Africa, a country that loves sports, does not pose a threat to Nigerian citizens.”
The Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria issued a warning to Nigerians on Tuesday to avoid acting provocatively before, during, or after the semi-final matchup with South Africa. The advisory also called attention to potentially incendiary remarks made on the internet by some South African citizens against Nigerians residing in the host nation.
