SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: WORLD CUP 2010: Nigeria and South Korea fans head for crucial World Cup encounter

Record ID: 452232

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: WORLD CUP 2010: Nigeria and South Korea fans head for crucial World Cup encounter
  • Date: 23rd June 2010
  • Summary: ZULU DANCERS
  • Embargoed: 8th July 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA5YOBKO7Y6TFK8WG7SIZWGATYP
  • Story Text: Reports that South Korean fans were avoiding travelling to Durban to support their team in their final World Cup Group B match against Nigeria in Durban, South Africa on Tuesday (June 22) appeared to be unfounded.
    Travelling South Korean fan Chloe Moon dispelled the rumours that they were worried about their safety.
    "Some people said that it could be quite dangerous but I don't think so, people are so friendly and we are the same people here, and there are heaps of police everywhere and a lot of volunteers too. So they look after us pretty well," she said.
    It was expected that around 300-500 travelling Korean fans were travelling to the magnificent 62,760-seater Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban knowing a win against Nigeria should be enough to see South Korea through to the knockout stage for the second time.
    Claire Moon agreed with her sister Chloe that although that she originally had fears for her safety, she did not expect there to be any problems.
    "Korean people are quite scared of Nigerian people because it is the last game and it is a very important game for South Koreans too. But I think this World Cup in South Africa is not only a World Cup for South Africans, it is considered to be Africa's World Cup and Nigeria is one of Africa's countries too. I think they will not do something bad about this game. I am sure they will present a good African can image in this World Cup event and I just wish that everyone will come out of their hotels and enjoy the atmosphere," she said.
    Marques Oye, a travelling Nigerian fan from London, said the game against South Korea is a must win for the Super Eagles.
    "It is the last games and my fears are the same as they where coming into the World Cup. I didn't want us to be the laughing stock. We lost two games, if we go home losing all three games we will be the laughing stock so my fear remains that same as when I first landed in South Africa," he said.
    This is Nigeria's fourth World Cup and the Super Eagles reached the second round in 1994 and 1998. But despite producing world class players, the team has generally failed to live up to its promise on both the African and world stage.
    Nigeria brought in Swedish coach Lars Lagerback after firing Shaibu Amodu in February following a disappointing African Nations Cup campaign in Angola. The team limped to third place, but never looked convincing.
    Despite losing their first two games in South Africa, Nigeria still have a chance of qualifying. If they beat South Korea -- and Greece lose to Argentina -- they are guaranteed a place in the second round.
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