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A South African top-flight club has stirred controversy after stating that they will be supporting Nigeria when they face Bafana Bafana in Wednesday’s AFCON 2023 semi-final clash
South African top-flight side Chippa United has stirred controversy after stating that they will be supporting Nigeria when they face Bafana Bafana in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final on Wednesday.
Nigeria and South Africa clash in the first semi-final at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake for a place in Sunday’s final and instead of supporting his home nation, Chippa United chairman Siviwe Chippa Mpengesi has declared his support for the Super Eagles.
His decision is informed by the need to stand in solidarity with the club’s goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali who has been outstanding between the posts for Nigeria during the continental tournament.
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“As the chairman of Chippa United FC and as a proud South African, I find myself in a unique position during this AFCON 2023 tournament in that our very won Nigeria international Stanley Nwabali has been a revelation; his performance for the Nigeria national team has caught the eyes of the globe, earning him and our club international acclaim,” Mpengesi said through a club statement on Tuesday.
“With Stanley’s rising profile and the international profile it brings to Chippa United FC, the benefits have been nothing but positive. Therefore, I and Chippa United FC, stand behind our player Stanley Nwabali and the Nigeria Super Eagles tomorrow (Wednesday) against South Africa Bafana Bafana. We wish the Super Eagles all the best.”
Mpengesi’s statement raised eyebrows in South Africa considering Bafana Bafana are on the cusp of making history yet again as they are two steps away from winning their second AFCON, having claimed the first in 1996.
Nwabali has been impressive in goal for Nigeria, pulling off some brilliant saves, and he is vying to win the AFCON 2023 Golden Glove as he is tied on four cleans with Wednesday’s opposite number Ronwen Williams, who is also enjoying a great tournament.
Mpengesi is already being branded ‘anti-South Africa’ by a section of Bafana Bafana fans on social media but he appears unshaken by the backlash.
The Chippa United boss, however, still had some kind words for his nation, lauding South Africa coach Hugo Broos for his bold selections as well as Premier Soccer League rivals Mamelodi Sundowns for contributing immensely to the success of the national team.
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“Acknowledgement is also given to coach Hugo Broos who boldly trusted our domestic players, unlike some previous Bafana Bafana national team coaches who preferred to select players who played abroad as bench warmers instead, to represent our national team,” he added.
“My commendation also goes out to Mamelodi Sundowns FC and their technical staff for their outstanding contribution, highlighted by the inclusion of eight players in the Bafana Bafana starting line-up.”
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