Will South Africans Support Nigeria in South Africa?

[Tbite]

Just Vote.....No need to Comment.

[pathfinder_2010]

GO Super Eagles!
I'll be supporting them at the Nigeria vs Korea game

[Tbite]

I probably shouldn't have made this thread.

but im just curious.


Nigerians play with the atmosphere.

Support could be the difference between winning and losing for us

[ChilenoFutbol]

im not south african but i want nigeria to go far, dont quite know why though

[ZATUGA]

It all depends against which team they'll be playing. I support Nigeria as well as any African country against nearly any other country ( except Portugal and South Africa ) and maybe France. Not that I like France simply because I know that the further France goes in competition, the more the French TV will give reports or shows about South Africa.

[Rosaudio]

I'll be supporting all African teams next year.

[SharksBoy]

Hell yeah! i'm supporting nigeria. one worry me is I dont know if Ivory Coast will make it in next round...

[_X_]

I will gladly support all African teams ----except Ghana

[Tbite]

http://www.kickoff.com/2010/news/126...-invade-sa.php

[Pule]

I support any African team but Ivory Coast and Ghana are my first.

[Tbite]

Ivory Coast would be my favourite as well if I wasn't Nigerian.

[GetDownAdam]

I'd definitely support Nigeria if it came to that stage of Africa vs anywhere else, but from the start, I'm sticking with Bafana. I'm pretty sure a surge of support from the home crowd could push them through the group stage! And after that, the cup is ours! Of course, if we crash out, my money is on Ghana and then Nigeria.

[Pule]

Originally Posted by Tbite

Ivory Coast would be my favourite as well if I wasn't Nigerian.

Obviously our home country comes first.

[BUTEMBO21]

ISPORT THEM.

But,Cote d'Ivoire and Cameroun are my first,

[Durbsboi]

Got no favourites when it comes to African teams, hell if Swaziland had a proper team I'd support them in the WC too. So glad I got a ticket to see Ivory Coast though.

[deyiengs]

This a great question. I'm made to understand that NIgeria boycotted the 1996 African Cup of Nations that was played in South Africa for some reasons that are not clear. THen again a friend of mine is telling me that South Africa and Nigeria have had frosty relationship.

So I need to get some clarifications here. I thought it was automatic that other African countries are to support the six African nations who'll represent the continent (except Egyptians and Algerians). But here is a big questions being asked here, by someone, I suppose is from South Africa.

What is the problem? Is there a long rivalry between the two nations? If yes, why?

[deyiengs]

After a little google, i get this January 1996 reporting:

Nigerian players back boycott of finals


Wednesday, 10 January 1996

Members of Nigeria's national team met the country's military ruler, General Sani Abacha, yesterday and confirmed that they would not be participating in the African Nations' Cup finals, which starts in South Africa on Saturday.

"It's so painful," Austin Eguavoen, the team captain, said. "But we are in support of the federal government."

Nigeria pulled out of the tournament citing fears for the security of the team in South Africa, which has strongly criticised Nigeria since nine minority rights activists were hanged in November.

Peter Rufai, the goalkeeper, said: "We were all worried before this meeting. But this afternoon it has been made clear to us once more, and fairly speaking we have quite agreed with the decision of the federal government over our not going to South Africa."

News that some of the players were meeting Abacha raised hopes that the Nigerian ruler would change his mind and allow the team to take part in Africa's biggest football event.

The government decision not to allow the team to defend the cup they won in Tunisia two years ago has been unpopular in Nigeria, where football is the leading sport.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), meeting in Johannesburg yesterday, decided not to ask any country to replace Nigeria after Guinea turned down such an invitation. CAF has threatened Nigeria with a six- year ban from the championship for pulling out.

George Weah, Milan's Liberian striker, who completed a unique hat-trick of awards by being named Fifa's world player of the year, said his greatest football wish remained an unattainable dream.

"I would love to play in the World Cup but I know it will never happen," said the 29-year-old, whose country have never qualified for the World Cup.

Weah, also the European and African player of the year, is due to lead Liberia in their first appearance in the African Nations' Cup after years of civil war.

"I would like to use my image to be a sort of soccer ambassador in the world," he said. "After these sporting successes, I feel a sense of social responsibility that a couple of years ago I did not feel.

"The children need help more than anybody. My dream is to be able to work for an organisation like Unicef."

Weah urged Nigeria to reconsider their decision to pull out of the African Nations' Cup, saying it was bad for the whole continent.

"Without Nigeria the tournament will lose its quality and impact on the media, with enormous damage for the whole African soccer movement," he said.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/n...s-1323344.html

[Lydon]

I don't see why not! I will be supporting African teams, and by the sounds of the crowd at the Fan Fest so will many other people!

[Tbite]

Originally Posted by deyiengs

After a little google, i get this January 1996 reporting:

Nigerian players back boycott of finals


Wednesday, 10 January 1996

Members of Nigeria's national team met the country's military ruler, General Sani Abacha, yesterday and confirmed that they would not be participating in the African Nations' Cup finals, which starts in South Africa on Saturday.

"It's so painful," Austin Eguavoen, the team captain, said. "But we are in support of the federal government."

Nigeria pulled out of the tournament citing fears for the security of the team in South Africa, which has strongly criticised Nigeria since nine minority rights activists were hanged in November.

Peter Rufai, the goalkeeper, said: "We were all worried before this meeting. But this afternoon it has been made clear to us once more, and fairly speaking we have quite agreed with the decision of the federal government over our not going to South Africa."

News that some of the players were meeting Abacha raised hopes that the Nigerian ruler would change his mind and allow the team to take part in Africa's biggest football event.

The government decision not to allow the team to defend the cup they won in Tunisia two years ago has been unpopular in Nigeria, where football is the leading sport.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), meeting in Johannesburg yesterday, decided not to ask any country to replace Nigeria after Guinea turned down such an invitation. CAF has threatened Nigeria with a six- year ban from the championship for pulling out.

George Weah, Milan's Liberian striker, who completed a unique hat-trick of awards by being named Fifa's world player of the year, said his greatest football wish remained an unattainable dream.

"I would love to play in the World Cup but I know it will never happen," said the 29-year-old, whose country have never qualified for the World Cup.

Weah, also the European and African player of the year, is due to lead Liberia in their first appearance in the African Nations' Cup after years of civil war.

"I would like to use my image to be a sort of soccer ambassador in the world," he said. "After these sporting successes, I feel a sense of social responsibility that a couple of years ago I did not feel.

"The children need help more than anybody. My dream is to be able to work for an organisation like Unicef."

Weah urged Nigeria to reconsider their decision to pull out of the African Nations' Cup, saying it was bad for the whole continent.

"Without Nigeria the tournament will lose its quality and impact on the media, with enormous damage for the whole African soccer movement," he said.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/n...s-1323344.html

It was Sani Abacha that made the decision, if they apparently boycotted the tournament, then explain why Nigeria and South Africa are on good terms in terms of hosting friendlies etc.


Gaddam I was in Nigeria under Sani Abacha, he is one Nigerian Head of State you don't go up against. He would murder you.

Nigeria was ban from the tournament in 98....so it didn't benefit Nigeria in anyway.

Abacha was simply like that.

[Tbite]

Originally Posted by BUTEMBO21

ISPORT THEM.

But,Cote d'Ivoire and Cameroun are my first,

I don't mean favourites.

I mean would South Africans support like America against Nigeria for example.

The whole point of this thread isn't about whether you like Cote d'voire or Ghana etc.