South African Government's Head of Public Diplomacy, Clayson Monyela has said on Twitter that his job requires him to "play nice"

This is as tensions are rising over African Cup Of Nations Semi-Final football match between the Bafana Bafana of South Africa and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Due to an history of xenophobic attacks on foreigners in south African in the past and comments made by some South Africans on social media, the Nigerian high commission in South Africa had released an advisory to Nigerians living there to be careful of where they watch match and to also avoid inflammation comments that can cause conflicts. They were also warned against loud celebrations should Nigeria win the match which is billed for later today.

Mr Monyela who took to Twitter to show displeasure at the Nigerian High Commission said

"This is a very unfortunate & regrettable statement issued by our Nigerian friends. It creates unnecessary alarm & tension. #BafanaBafana have played the Super Eagles many times & there's no history of soccer hooliganism associated with the outcome of such encounters. #SouthAfricans🇿🇦 pose no threat to Nigerians. We'll engage our Nigerian counterparts through diplomatic channels further on this. Totally unnecessary!" in response to the advisory warning.

A South African with username "Maradinho10" replied him with

"Your level of tolerance is why all these African countries make SA their playing ground. This level of disrespect should have high consequences, not this jolly-jolly approach you are displaying here."

Mr Monyela then replied with

"My job requires me to "play nice""

Clayson Monyela's reply had gotten reaction as people were mostly shocked at this statement which a lot of people described as having a not so friendly undertone as they ask what Mr Monyela would have done if he isn't at his present work position.

Some Nigerians have used this statement as a justification for the advisory released by the Nigerian High commission as they have viewed it as a veiled threat and further urge Nigerians living in South African to be careful before, during and after the match.

Southafricans are very aggressive and rude, I can't deal with them

Hmm! So wetin he mean be say if to say he job nor dey, he for worst. Na wa o

EreluRoz:
Southafricans are very aggressive and rude, I can't deal with them

Hahaha.. na Nigerian dey talk this one

Make everybody getat abeg. Match will be played today, there will be winners and losers!!.. All this online noise should stop

South Africa do any how you see any how.
We no dey gree for una

HappyPagan:

Hahaha.. na Nigerian dey talk this one

They are very unfriendly and also eager to fight.

They all should go to hell. No amount of threat that will stop Nigeria from flogging their asses.

Xenophobic pigs.

All they know how to do is to dish out threats and stealing things they are not worthy of.

To be 4:1ed is to be forearmed

This people ready to fight ooo

S.A I reserve my comment about those folks.

South Africa nothing fit carry me go there

Tufiakwa

The advice from the High commissioner is very necessary

This is very unfortunate!

South African with aboki/ fulani mentality.
One way gang.
Do any how we flush your investment out of the......

Under 1.5 goals each half.

See,if you have any Nigerian in South Africa tell them to stay in doors... those idiots can't take the pain of defeat.

Chai..



...may be government to government should declare a total WAr!!

What's all these South Africa xenophobic nonsense??

Ok

We advice Nigerians living in South Africa 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.
Nigerians in SA should be careful. Very careful on how they celebrate the win.
This advice is very necessary.

We Rise ✔️



By the way do you know that our darling Goal Keeper ply his trade in SA.......

When a lion loses it's teeth & claw it quickly becomes a pet. If the Nigeria government has reacted with an airstrike. I doubt if they will ever dream of the word xenophobia let alone carrying out the act against any other Africa country.

Very lazy and violent beings....most of them.

Nigerians in SA should stay safe cause we are winning tonight.

Nigerians should be careful of how thi celebrate today should they win the match

babyfaceafrica:
Make everybody getat abeg. Match will be played today, there will be winners and losers!!.. All this online noise should stop

don't be a sadist

Come oh. Nigerians dey plenty for other countries oh, while others no dey relocate like us

An average south african can never part ways with xenophobia.

When they say think before talking, so if he was not in that position he would have been hostile like others?

Truly the apple doesn't fall far.......,...

EreluRoz:
Southafricans are very aggressive and rude, I can't deal with them

Funny as it sounds, that's what is required to succeed as a nation. unfortunately, Nigeria isn't close to being a nation and worsened by religious indoctrination, leading to zombeism and stagnation. A typical Nigeria won't even bother reporting to the authorities, if foreign elements are doing something funny around their environment, talk more of attacking them; this alone, gives an innate feeling of disconnect from what nationhood is all about.

Africans are as rude and aggressive as the white people, until they tried taming you

The media is exaggerating the whole thing.

Dear God, please protect our love ones over there

EreluRoz:
Southafricans are very aggressive and rude, I can't deal with them

Coming from a Nigerian

When you travel to other parts of the world you'll realize Nigerians are at the lowest rung of the respect ladder in the eyes of other nationalities. We're just a delusional bunch

Mr Monyela then replied "My job requires me to "play nice". Meaning, if not for my job I would have shown dem Nigerians pepper they will not forget.