The African football community has lent its voice in condemnation of the recent spate of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
The Rainbow nation is gradually becoming a haven for brutal assaults targetted at non-indigenes with the latest coming on February 5 and 18 in Pretoria.
A group, Football Africa Arena (FAA), initiated the move and with the help of social media platforms, Twitter and WhatsApp, other well-meaning Africans have also joined the course.
“The community of African Football is today joining (Saturday) hands with the rest of the world in condemning the various acts of Xenophobia in South Africa and the rest of the continent,” the group revealed in a statement.
“Under the banner of the Football Africa Arena, a WhatsApp Group comprising of leading voices in the Football Industry, the hashtag #FootballAgainstXenophobia seeks to highlight the positive role Football can play, to overcome Xenophobia and other forms of discrimination in the African continent.”
Prominent African sports journalists, footballers and other concerned individuals have also followed suit.
Xenophobic rise in SA has been fuelled by Trump effect. SouthAfricans want mass deportations of immigrants #FootballAgainstXenophobia
— Petre (@ceciliapeter04) February 25, 2017
One #Africa, one people
— Alonge Akinlolu (@akinnzo) February 25, 2017
South Africans are very lazy thats y foreigners go to their country and take all their jobs #FootballAgainstXenophobia
— Utamu wa Bedsitter (@utamu_bedsitter) February 25, 2017
Thank you Nigeria for jumping on #FootballAgainstXenophobia. Steadily climbing up the TTs. Such an important subject clearly. pic.twitter.com/tMbqgq5tfR
— Gary Al-Smith (@garyalsmith) February 25, 2017
Football knows no colour, race, ethnic and national. Football doesn’t hurt. Football unites. Stop Xenophobia #FootballAgainstXenophobia pic.twitter.com/K1tngSUQQq
— Sports Obama (@SaddickAdams) February 25, 2017
Football na universal language & E dey speak peace …We be one #FootballAgainstXenophobia pic.twitter.com/MjPUE0aMW4
— Football Fever (@FootballFeverNG) February 25, 2017
#FootballAgainstXenophobia We simply saying no to bloodshed and embracing cordiality and responsibility.
— George Nitro Duah (@mr_nitro_nitro) February 25, 2017
Fair play rules! #FootballAgainstXenophobia #FAA pic.twitter.com/Zg9wT5L5Yx
— aisha nassanga (@AishaSports) February 25, 2017
Football Africa community stands together against Xenophobia. United on and off the pitch. #FootballAgainstXenophobia pic.twitter.com/PcatxXPxHJ
— Juliet Bawuah (@julietbawuah) February 25, 2017
