By Miracle Ogunde
In response to the threat issued to the Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali by some South African citizens warning him not to return to his club after a stellar performance displayed in the Semi-final clash between the Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana of South African, Nigerians have taken to the social media to voice their reactions.
Starnews NG correspondent, Miracle Ogunde, who collated some of the reactions on social media reports:
Following his remarkable performance at the AFCON semifinals which propelled Nigeria to the finals on Wednesday, February 7, after defeating South Africa 4-2 on penalties to proceed to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals, the team goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, was said to have reportedly received messages threatening him against returning to South Africa to continue with the country’s Premier Soccer League with Chippa United after the AFCON tournament ends.
Former Super Eagles international footballer, Idah Peterside, disclosed this on Channels Television on Thursday, that the top goalkeeper was warned by angry Bafana Bafana fans not to return to South Africa, since he blocked the team’s chances of scoring their way to the finals.
Peterside was quoted saying “The biggest problem we have had is that we have gotten some messages where people have sent messages to the goalkeeper threatening him. I hear some people are telling him not to return to South Africa since you didn’t want us to score.
“This is unacceptable. We have not heard of any violence. but just threats. They have been threatening him and threatening some people,” Peterside said.
The reported threats on Nwabali, who currently plays for Chippa United in South Africa, has stirred several reactions and discussions on the topic of Xenophobia in the country.
Reacting, Chamber Gwada says “Congratulations goalkeeper super eagles of nigeria best of luck.”
Also commenting on the threat, Sanni Edrees says “They are joking, this is football not war”.
Another Netizen, John Victor replies “Did they really know what sportsmanship means?”
Hussaini Tanko Abdulkadir describes the threat as “Uncivilized statement.
In his response, Echono Samson reacts, saying “When will SA grow up?
Meanwhile, Nigerians have called for an immediate investigation into the threats being issued to the goalkeeper following his topnotch performance at the tough match which saw the Super Eagles progressing to the final of the competition.
The umbrella body of students in Nigeria, National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has warned South Africans over their threat to Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali over his performance at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.
The students tackled the South Africans in a statement signed by the Senate President of the association, Ekundina Elvis, on Friday.
The Super Eagles defeated the Bafana Bafana of South Africa, 4-2 in a penalty shootout, with Nwabali saving two penalties on the spot and winning the Man of the Match Performance in the game.
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