End xenophobic attacks: Caf Erick Mwanza

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE Confederation of African Football (Caf) has called for an immediate end to the xenophobic attacks that are escalating in South Africa, a few months before the rainbow nation plays host to the southern region’s flagship football tournament. Caf described the attacks as despicable and abhorrent. The continental motherbody, however, said the May 17 to 30 Cosafa Cup tournament should go ahead and can in fact be used to speak out against the evil acts.

Responding to questions from Chronicle Sport, Caf spokesperson, Erick Mwanza said violence, be it in football or the society, should be condemned in strongest possible terms.

“Violence is unacceptable, abhorrent, for whatever reason, in football or any social set-up, it should be stopped,” said Mwanza, a Zambian national.

There has been calls for countries to boycott next month’s Cosafa Cup as a way of standing up against xenophobia.

Caf, however, said there was no need to boycott the event or even postpone it.

“No, don’t shelve the Cosafa Cup because of these despicable acts. Football is a power that can help deal with such.”

Fourteen countries from the Southern region, including special guests, Ghana and Tanzania, will be in the North West province in South Africa for the Cosafa Cup that is bankrolled by South African breweries through their Castle Lager brand and energy drink, Power Horse.

The regional football motherbody said the attacks on foreign nationals by South Africans was a political issue which they could not comment on.

“We don’t make comments on issues of a political nature. It’s happening at the Cosafa Cup 2015 hosts yes and a month away but its nowhere near where the tournament will be held,” Cosafa chief operating officer Sue Destombes said early this week.

Zimbabwe is already on record as saying they will stand guided by the government on whether to participate in next month’s tournament.

Their Malawian counterparts echored the same sentiments with the Football Association of Malawi general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda saying their national team is actually going into camp on Monday.

“Our government is monitoring developments in South Africa closely and as FAM we await their expert advice. If they tell us to pull out we will do likewise but for now, we’re busy organising for camp from Monday,” said Nyirenda.

The Malawian government was the first to evacuate its citizens from South Africa.

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