Nigeria Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali has been reported to be a subject of threat and intimidation by South African fans, Nigeriasoccernet.com has gathered.
The Nigerian goalie who plies his trade for South African club side, Chippa United was the hero of the day as Nigeria beat South Africa 4-2 on penalties to progress to the final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations going on in Cote D'Ivoire.
Nwabali made some goal-bound saves in the course of the match and also stopped 1 penalties in the shoot out to take Nigeria to the final stage and emerge with the man of the match award.
This feat has not gone down well with the fans of the country where his club is situated as they have asked the River State born shot stopper to not "come back" after the tournament according to Idah Peterside; a former Nigerian international who is based in South Africa.
While speaking on Channels TV, Peterside disclosed that messages of threats have been received.
"The biggest problem we’ve heard, we have not gotten some messages where people have sent messages to the goalkeeper threatening him,” Peterside said during his appearance on Thursday’s edition of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
“I hear some saying, ‘Don’t come back to South Africa since you didn’t want us to score when your team was playing. Stay back’. This is unacceptable. We have not heard of any violence, but just threats. They have been threatening him and threatening some people. We didn’t see any violence yesterday.”
It will be recalled that Nwabali's club, Chippa United had thrown their weight in support for Nigeria over South Africa prior to the match which drew wide condemnations from South Africans.
The club also threw caution to the wind congratulating Nwabali and Nigeria after the win over the South Africa which has further aggravated nerves in that country.
Uche Dozie