Banyana Banyana Star Claims Food Poisoning in Nigeria, Nigerian Fans Demand Apology
- Former Banyana Banyana striker Portia Modise alleges the South African team suffered food poisoning before a key WAFCON qualifier against Nigeria
- Most players were hospitalised, but the team was forced to play under threat of financial penalties, according to Modise
- Nigerian football fans have reacted angrily on social media, dismissing the claims and calling for legal action
Former Banyana Banyana striker Portia Modise has alleged that the South African women’s national team suffered food poisoning before a crucial Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier against Nigeria.
Source: Getty Images
Speaking on a Supersport panel, Modise claimed the incident occurred during an away fixture against the Super Falcons, leaving most players hospitalised before the match. Only three squad members escaped without admission, yet the team was still ordered to play.
“They gave us food poisoning in Nigeria. The whole team was sick. Only three of us were not in the hospital,” she said.
“They told us, ‘If you don’t play, you’ll pay.’ We weren’t allowed to talk about it.”
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Source: Getty Images
Modise said just 10 players were fit enough to start, with some collapsing on the field. She also alleged that the only goal of the match was offside.
Banyana Banyana lost the game and failed to qualify for the tournament. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has not responded to the allegations.
Nigerian social media backlash
The comments have triggered strong reactions from Nigerian users on X (formerly Twitter), with many dismissing the claims and some calling for legal action.
@epalyHarcourt:
“This is a serious allegation, and I feel @thenff should take this up. Food poisoning is when your digestive system reacts negatively to certain foods; it can happen to anyone and is never deliberately done. So accusing Nigeria of giving you food poisoning is defamation of character.”
@nightryda:
“We can be nonchalant, negligent, but we don’t play that dangerous-level sabotage game.”
@OlaitanOmo89753:
“Make them press charges against her. 🤣 This hates too much.”
@ogabalistical:
“Who gets the match she’s referring to should post it here??”
@olasunkanmi0077:
“Just dey lie dey go.”
@A_RWAC:
“South Africans are a special kind of case, I swear.”
@is_noelle:
“Is it ewa they were given to eat, or what else will cause that type of purging?”
@Only_1Chocolito:
“Lies.”
@Sharpman_Tobi:
“@NGSuper_Falcons @thenff drop a lawsuit on this shameless girl and teach her a lesson!!!”
@idegeri:
“Make her get her lawyer ready, because I don't wear jersey dey warm up. We're going to meet in court.”
@the_realtomy:
“One day una go talk wetin Nigeria collect from una hand.”
@Salimomar44:
“What I see here is lies and manipulation.”
The incident remains unresolved, with no official statement yet from the Nigerian Football Federation.
Jermaine Seoposenwe speaks after retirement
Briefly News previously reported that Banyana Banyana legend Jermaine Seoposenwe has broken her silence after an emotional retirement, revealing the painful reasons behind her decision to walk away from international football after 110 caps.
The 31-year-old played her final match for South Africa in the third/fourth play-off against Ghana at the recently concluded Women's Africa Cup of Nations, a match Banyana lost 4-3.
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Source: Briefly News
