No cause for alarm, South Africa denies threats to Nigerians

The South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation has said there are no possible threats on Nigerians living in or visiting the nation, ahead of the CAF African Cup of Nations semi-finals match between both countries.

The department disclosed this on Tuesday following the statement issued by the Nigeria High Commission in South Africa on Monday

The Nigerian High Commission, in an advisory, had advised 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.”

The high commission based its advisory on “potentially inflammatory online comments made by a section of South African citizens against Nigerians living in the host country,” adding that the comments were “largely influenced” by the upcoming AFCON clash on Wednesday, February 7 (today).

In its reaction, South Africa's DIRCO said it doesn't agree with the Nigerian High Commission, stating that the country poses “no threat to Nigerian citizens,” BBC reports Tuesday.

DIRCO further noted that the High Commission's advisory “seems to create alarm and unnecessary tension” between citizens of both nations.

The statement read, “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.

“The advisory is regrettable because it seems to create alarm and unnecessary tension between the citizens of South Africa and Nigerians living in or visiting South Africa.”

Nigeria's Super Eagles meet the Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake, Ivory Coast today by 6 p.m. (Nigerian time).

Today's match will be the fourth in the tournament's meeting, with the Eagles winning the three previous games.