AFCON 2023: Department of International Relations and Cooperation Fires Back at Nigerian Embassy

• The Department of International Relations and Cooperation Africa said there's no history of football hooliganism among its citizens in Nigeria versus Bafana Bafana matches
• The agency promised that there would be no threat to Nigerian citizens when the full-time whistle sounds in the AFCON 2023 semi-final match
• The DIRCO of South Africa stated that it does not agree with the fear expressed by the Nigeria High Commission

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) on Tuesday, February 6, described the advisory statement issued by the Nigeria High Commission in Pretoria as "unfortunate".

DIRCO, in a statement, said the statement is regrettable "as it seems to create alarm and unnecessary tension between South African citizens and Nigerians living in or visiting South Africa".

DIRCO argued that no history of soccer hooliganism among its citizens is associated with the outcome of Bafana Bafana versus Nigeria encounters.

Read also

Nigeria vs South Africa: White man predicts scoreline of Super Eagles AFCON semi-final match

DIRCO, therefore, expressed its confidence that South Africa poses no threat to Nigerian citizens, "and we do not agree with the apprehension expressed by the High Commission".

Nigeria and Bafana Bafana will confront each other in the semi-final of the AFCON 2023 on Wednesday, 7 February.

The knockout match will be played at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire.

Read DIRCO South Africa's statement in full below:

"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.

"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.

Read also

AFCON2023: Penny Lebyane taps into AKA's energy ahead of Bafana Bafana's match against Nigeria

"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."

Nigeria vs South Africa: High Commission sends warning

Earlier, Briefly News reported that although the AFCON semi-final match between the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana will occur thousands of miles away in Bouake, Coted'Ivoiree, there are concerns that the result may affect Nigerians residing in South Africa.

In this light, the Nigeria High Commission in South Africa raised alarm over threats to Nigerians in the Rainbow Nation.

Keen on their safety and well-being, the Commission has issued an advisory to Nigerians, warning them to be cautious before, during and after the semi-final game.

Source: Legit.ng