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 keeper plays at Chippa United, a football club in South Africa.
Although this threat is yet to be reported, football observers believe some South Africans are displeased with Nwabali’s role in preventing their team from reaching the finals.
Former Super Eagles star Idah Peterside revealed the threats while speaking on Channels Television on Thursday, stating that some fans have warned Nwabali not to go back to Chippa United in South Africa after the AFCON tournament.
On receiving the hint of this threat, NANS appealed to South Africans to steer clear Nwabali, threatening that “A South African finger on Nwabali will see the beginning of shutting down of all South African businesses and interests in Nigeria.
”If Nwabali is stopped from returning to his club, we shall also stop South Africans from all benefits from Nigeria.”
The students lamented the South Africans’ threat against the goalkeeper, saying football should rather “promote friendship and not bitterness.”
“We have played in different tournaments where the Super Eagles have lost. We never channelled or blamed our performance on any country or persons outside our country.
“We have always been a chief promoter of the spirit of sportsmanship as this remains a solid avenue to spread love across the countries of the world. But we will at no time fold our arms and watch bad losers pounce on our brother for petty reasons like this.”