4 September 2019 – Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki has blasted the ongoing xenophobic attacks which have somehow damaged relationships within the African states.
On Tuesday, Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), pulled out of the intended friendly international match between Bafana Bafana and Chipolopolo in Lusaka citing security concerns in South Africa and Ntseki said what is currently happening is very unAfrican, abhorrent and doesn’t fit in with the traditional African norms.
The newly-appointed Senior Men’s National team said it was worrying to see fellow Africans attacking each other.
“It is very worrying. It is an unfortunate situation and we tend to forget that we are all Africans and we are all human beings and to take someone’s life is not acceptable.
“I think we must be a united as Africans, let’s protect each other. Africans are loving people and we need to reciprocate that love. Taking someone’s life or having these xenophobic riots is not good for Africa; so I am appealing to everyone that as Africans, let us be one, let us be united and let us have peace in Africa and when we have peace in Africa, we prosper as Africans,” said Ntseki.
He said he would have wanted to play Zambia in his opening official match but accepted that circumstances would not allow that to happen
“For us to play Zambia, it was an important match and we also wanted to strengthen relationships between the two countries not only on the football front but on every aspect of social life. But with all what is happening, we are all disappointed because we really wanted to play against our brothers from Zambia and at the same time, prepare our teams for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers.
“This is a very unfortunate situation and I would like to tell Zambians that we love them, they are our brothers and sisters and something like this (xenophobic attacks) must never happen again,” he added.
The national coach said he was happy with Madagascar who replaced Zambia saying the islanders were also a quality team as evidenced by their showing at the recently ended AFCON tournament in Egypt where they beat Nigeria among other big scalps of the tournament.