Former Nigeria international Idah Peterside says South Africans have threatened Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali not to return to the country after Nigeria knocked Bafana Bafana out of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Nwabali, who played in the South African Premier Division with Chippa United, was the architect of South Africa’s downfall against Nigeria in their semi-final clash on Wednesday, in which the Super Eagles came out victorious in the penalty shootout.

The former Enyimba goalkeeper made multiple crucial saves during the match and went on to save two penalty kicks in the shootout to ensure Nigeria reached the AFCON final – a performance Peterside claimed has infuriated some South African football supporters.

Speaking during an interview on Channels TV on Thursday, Peterside, who was a goalkeeper during his time with the national team, said he had received some reports of threats being made to Nawabali not to return to South Africa since he prevented Bafana Bafana from winning on Wednesday.

“We have gotten some reports of people sending messages to the goalkeeper, threatening him,” said Peterside. “I hear some saying, ‘Don’t come back to South Africa since you didn’t want us to score when your team was playing. Stay back.”

Super Eagles media officer Babafemi Raji did not respond to Peoples Gazette’s request seeking confirmation on whether or not South Africans threatened the goalkeeper.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere across South Africa has remained relatively calm despite Nigeria’s win against the rainbow nation following pre-game concerns that such a result could ignite another wave of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in the country.