The story was like a confession of a witch. It was a bolt from the blues. It could also be described as a relationship between a man and woman which went sour reminiscent of a Nollywood actress and a top politician recently.[Names withheld]
That South Africa Sports Minister openly expressed his prayer for Nigeria not to qualify for the next World Cup. I thought it was one those social media stories or AI doctored story until I watched him speaking.
“I don’t want Nigeria to qualify, it is not personal, they don’t like us and we don’t like them, I want to make it clear, I don’t want them to qualify, I knew what they did behind the scene and I want to pay them back”.
The above statement from South Africa Sports Minister, Gayton Mckezie did not come to me as surprise because of his antecedents. What surprised me was that the South Africans have forgotten how Nigeria helped them to overcome apartheid.
Apartheid was a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. I am trying to explain this because of the new generation who might not have heard of apartheid and students no longer take history in schools.
The system of apartheid was enforced by the white minority government. it legally separated South Africa into racial groups, [Black, White, Coloured and Indian], restricted the movement and rights of non-whites citizens and segregated public facilities. Non-white South Africans particularly the black majority were relegated to impoverished, designated areas and faced severe social and inequality.
It was reported that Nigeria spent a whopping $61 billion to support end of apartheid, more than any other country in the world.
The role of Nigeria in that struggle should have made South Africa to; no matter the issue bow and worship the country forever but the reverse is now the Case.
Nigeria played a significant role in opposing the apartheid regime by providing financial and diplomatic support to anti-apartheid movements, hosting exiled leaders, and consistently advocating for international sanctions against South Africa.
It was also reported that Nigeria boycotted the 1976 Olympics and 1979 Commonwealth Games, established South African relief fund to assist victims, and supported liberation groups like the ANC, PAC financially.
Nigerian strong opposition was a significant part of its foreign policy and its support was publicly acknowledged by leaders like Mandela, who made an early visit to Lagos after his release in 1990 to thank Nigerian people.
The issue is no matter the politics of football, for a serving Minister of South Africa to declare openly that we hate them and they hate us too calls for concern and serious examination.
To makes matters worse, a South African referee was appointed to officiate the match between Gabon and Nigeria in the first play-off which Nigeria protested against.
However, CAF stood its ground and allowed the officials to manage the game which took place on Thursday night, but thank God; Nigeria humiliated Gabon by 4 goals, with Cameroon and D.R. Congo the next opponent at this stage.
Whoever wins in Morocco will move to the world stage to face other Nations albeit to tell you that despite the performance against Gabon two days ago, it is not yet unhurt.
Those managing football in Abuja almost bungled the preparation when players of the Super Eagles went on strike protesting unpaid allowances which spanned two years.
That incident jolted Nigerians who have been calling for a probe into activities of the men in the glass house because, not quite long, President Bola Tinubu released 12 billion Naira to pay salaries and bonuses of the players playing for national teams.
It was therefore a surprise that nonpayment of allowances reared its ugly head in far way Morocco. I will therefore call on stake holders especially state football Chairmen to have a re-think and know those to be voted for in the next election.
They should put the interest of the Nation above any other one and do the needful.
The National Sports Commission must provide a level playing ground to all those in tested in contesting the next election, otherwise, we will continue to lament.
