South Africa To Organize Friendly Match To Fight Xenophobia

SAFA CEO, Dennis SAFA CEO, Dennis Mumble, says they want use football to unite the people by organising two high-profile friendlies against our neighbouring countries.

“We want to use the two high-profile international friendly matches as an instrument to unite this
continent. What has been happening in the past few days have really left most people in a shock and dismayed,” Mumble said in a statement released by SAFA.

“We have decided to take this step (of playing two high-profile international friendly matches) as part of the fight against xenophobia. Madiba spoke of the power of sport in uniting people from different walks of life and we want to use the power of football to unite this continent and kick out this scourge within certain malcontents in our society."


Mumble feels that the recent violence has dented the image of the country.

“Most sporting personalities have had their say in denouncing these barbaric acts but we want to go a step further by playing friendly matches against neighbouring countries. We want to send out a message to those perpetrating these acts to sit back and realise what they are doing is wrong.

“We are one continent, one Africa, we are all Africans and we say no to xenophobia.”

Details for the two international friendlies will be by SAFA in the next few days