AFCON 2023: Refrain from Wide Celebrations Should Eagles Beat Bafana Bafana

Michael  Olugbode in Abuja

Ahead of Wednesday’s semifinal clash between Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Bouake, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigerians living in South Africa have been warned to be mindful of where they watch the game and equally refrain from wide celebrations should the match be won by the Nigerian senior national team.

Nigeria will play South Africa in the first semi final inside the Stade de la Paix in Bouake tomorrow at 6pm in what promises to be a crunchy match of the AFCON 2023 while hosts Côte d’Ivoire will take on DR Congo in the second Last Four match at the Stade Alassane Ouattara in Ebimpe area of Abidjan at 9pm.

 Both semi final matches, the third place and the final will be broadcast live on 

StarTimes Sports Premium and Beta Sports channels as well as the StarTimes-ON mobile app in HD on Wednesday.

Given the xenophobic attacks that have happened in that southern African country in the past, with mostly Nigerians as targets of disgruntled South Africans, the Nigeria High Commission in that country yesterday issued an advisory message, warning our citizens to refrain from wild celebrations should the match end in favour of Super Eagles.

The statement titled, “Advisory on Safe Conduct for Nigerians in South Africa Before, During and After 2024 AFCON Match Between Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana”, read in part: “The attention of the Nigeria High Commission Pretoria has been drawn to potentially inflammatory online comments made by a section of South African citizens against Nigerians living in host country, largely influenced by the upcoming 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final match between the Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana on Wednesday 7th February 2024.

“Most of the comments consist of veiled threats against “Nigerians cooking jollof rice” before the match, and “showing pepper to Nigerians if the Bafana Bafana lose to Super Eagles”, among others.

“In this regard, the High Commission hereby advises 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.

“Additionally, Nigerians should maintain the good conduct they are known for, and be law abiding before, during and after the match. Should any provocations arise, they should not be reciprocated but reported to the appropriate authorities,” concludes the statement.

After this AFCON 2023 semi final clash between Nigeria and South Africa, both countries will meet again in June in Uyo in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match.

The Bafana Bafana are second in the qualifying group with three points, while Nigeria have two points from as many matches.

Rwanda lead the standings on four points with the overall group winners automatically advancing to the 2026 World Cup to be hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico.