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South Africans have expressed dismay at the behaviour of Zimbabwe fans who poured onto the pitch in Polokwane to celebrate wildly following their team’s draw against Harambee Stars.
Zimbabwe fans went wild after their team secured a return to the Africa Cup of Nations at the expense of Kenya following a 1-1 draw in Polokwane, South Africa on Friday.
The Warriors needed a point from the match to secure qualification to AFCON 2025 and that is what they got when Tawanda Maswanhise’s 32nd minute goal was cancelled out by Jonah Ayunga’s second half strike.
After the match, Zimbabwe fans poured onto the pitch at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane to celebrate their team’s return to the continental tournament for the first time since the 2021 edition.
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07:54 - 16.11.2024
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The fans overpowered the police and jumped over the barricades, dancing and running around the pitch to celebrate shortly after the final whistle.
It is an incident that was not received well by South Africans who felt that the Zimbabwe supporters did not show respect given their team was hosting their home match in a neighbouring country owing to a lack of an approved stadium back home.
“@SAFA_net you need to write a letter to @online_zifa telling them to take their matches elsewhere,” an angry South African fan commented on X.
“Police were supposed to just close the gates and ask all of them to produce identification or passports that grants them to be in the country. Would've made their job a lot easier,” another one posted.
“An opportunity missed by the Home Affairs to deport illegal immigrants,” another South African saw it differently.
“Minister of Sports and SAFA is sleeping on duty. What happened to the Abahambe or was it just a ticket to ministerial offices? Hooligans will not be permitted or promoted especially within the perimeters of our valuable resources and infrastructures.”
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07:00 - 16.11.2024
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“This is disrespectful and they forget they are in a foreign country, not home. How do you behave like this in a land that is not yours? Smh,” commented another South African.
“@GaytonMcK Sir can you please give the citizens clarity on this?.....Why did SAFA allow this match to be played in South Africa....Were any risk factors and safety measures taken into account?....Is your good office disregarding immigration lawlessness for sake of profit?,” another one was seeking answers from South Africa’s Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie.
“That’s why they don't have a stadium. With this behaviour, it’s obvious they destroyed it lol.”
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21:00 - 15.11.2024
Harambee Stars eliminated from 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification after draw against Zimbabwe
Disappointment as Harambee Stars failed to secure a vital win against Zimbabwe ending their hopes of Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
It is not clear if any property was damaged at the stadium but the Zimbabwe supporters will be looking forward to a relaxed match against Cameroon on Tuesday when victory will see them finish top of Group J.
Kenya, meanwhile, have a match against Namibia at the same venue on Tuesday and can only finish third in the group after another missed opportunity to return to the continental tournament which they last appeared in 2019.
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