ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) 鈥 Nigeria's authorities on Tuesday called for caution over what they described as 鈥渧eiled threats鈥 against their citizens living in South Africa before both countries meet in an Africa Cup of Nations semifinal 鈥 a soccer match that is renewing frictions.
Both countries already have endured a yearslong rivalry, more so because they have Africa鈥檚 biggest entertainment industries rather than the continent鈥檚 largest economies.
But now tensions are rising in the context of soccer as Nigeria and South Africa get ready to play in their semifinal match in the Ivory Coast on Wednesday.
The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa said in a statement that some South Africans were making 鈥渋nflammatory online comments鈥 that mostly 鈥渃onsist of veiled threats鈥 against Nigerians.
The commission urged Nigerian citizens in South Africa to 鈥渂e watchful of their utterances, be mindful of where they choose to watch the match ... and refrain from engaging in loud, riotous or provocative celebrations should the Super Eagles (the Nigeria team's nickname) win the (semifinal) match.鈥
South Africa鈥檚 Department of International Relations and Cooperation said the country 鈥渄oes not agree with the apprehension expressed鈥 in the statement, adding: 鈥淭he advisory is regrettable because it seems to create alarm and unnecessary tension between the citizens of South Africa and Nigerians living in or visiting South Africa."
In 2019, in South Africa left 12 people dead.
The rivalry between the two countries was fueled on Sunday when South African sensation Tyla beat four other Nigerian nominees to win the with her song 鈥淲ater.鈥 Tyla's win was a 鈥渂ig one for Africa,鈥 Nigerian artist Davido and a nominee for the category tweeted while congratulating her.
Soccer and music enthusiasts from both countries see the next stage of the rivalry in Wednesday's Africa Cup of Nations semifinal.
Nigeria and South Africa are meeting in a repeat of a 2000 semifinal, which Nigeria won 2-0. Nigeria won the last of its three Africa Cup of Nations titles in 2013, while South Africa鈥檚 only win came in 1996.
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Mogomotsi Magome contributed to this report from in Johannesburg.
