South African rapper, Cassper Nyovest, has stirred controversy on social media by throwing jabs at Nigerians following Nigeria’s loss to Ivory Coast in the AFCON cup final on Sunday, February 11, 2024.
The highly anticipated final match between the Nigeria Super Eagles and Ivory Coast ended in disappointment for Nigerians, who had hoped for victory but were defeated with a score of 2-1.
In response to the defeat, Cassper Nyovest took to social media (X) today, Monday, February 12, 2024, to taunt Nigerians, suggesting that they should return the Amapiano music genre to South Africa since they did not emerge victorious in the tournament. He referenced Nigeria’s previous claims of being the custodians of Amapiano music and implied that their loss meant they should relinquish ownership of the genre.
In his post, he said, “Nigeria does that mean we can have our Amapiano back? cause technically, you didn’t win the tournament so return to creators please?”
This exchange highlights the ongoing rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa, both on the soccer field and in the realm of music. Following Nigeria’s victory over South Africa in the AFCON semi-finals, Nigerians had boasted about their dominance in both soccer and music, fueling tensions between the two countries on social media platforms.
Cassper Nyovest’s remarks shows the significance of Amapiano music in the cultural exchange between Nigeria and South Africa. Originating in South Africa, Amapiano has gained widespread popularity across the continent, with Nigerian artists also contributing to its growth and evolution. However, Nyovest’s comments reflect a desire among some South Africans to reclaim ownership of the genre amidst the competitive atmosphere of the AFCON tournament.
Despite the banter and rivalry, the AFCON tournament has provided a platform for both countries to showcase their talent and passion for soccer and music. While Nigeria may have fallen short in the final match, the spirit of competition and cultural exchange continues to thrive between the two African nations.