A young Ghanaian footballer living in South Africa says he has been forced to abandon his football dreams and return home after allegedly suffering xenophobic attacks that left him fearing for his safety.
The footballer, who travelled to South Africa in search of better opportunities in the sport, recounted a traumatic incident in which he said he was assaulted and kicked into the rain by a group of locals. His comments come amid growing concerns over attacks targeting foreign nationals, including Ghanaians, in parts of South Africa.
Speaking to journalists, the visibly distressed footballer said the experience pushed him to seek help from Ghana’s embassy and make arrangements to return home.
“They kicked me into the rain. And it was after that day that I ran to the embassy. I said no, I want to go home,” he said.
According to him, language barriers worsened the situation as the attackers allegedly spoke in a local language he could not understand.
He explained that he had been working hard to build connections within South Africa’s football circles and had even reached out to former Bafana Bafana players in pursuit of opportunities.
“I’m here looking for an opportunity to better my life in the sports department. I have the talent, but if my safety is under threat, then why would you risk your life just to have a better living?” he questioned.
Football dream cut short by safety fears
The young footballer said leaving South Africa would be painful, but necessary for his survival and future.
According to him, Ghana remains a land full of opportunities and talent, adding that he would rather return home, regroup, and explore safer pathways to continue his football career elsewhere.
“The world is big. If you are somewhere and people do not really like you, then you have to go back to your motherland and find a way to make it,” he stated.
He added that he hopes to eventually relocate to a country that offers better protection, proper sporting structures, and a safer environment for foreign athletes.
Ghana government promises support for evacuees
The footballer also expressed confidence in assurances from the Ghanaian government that citizens returning from South Africa would receive reintegration support.
He said the government’s intervention influenced his decision to leave rather than continue risking his life abroad.
“The government of Ghana has also put plans in place to reintegrate us into society. They are trying to make sure we are not coming back to struggle,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has assured Ghanaians living in South Africa that the government is committed to ensuring their safe return.
According to the minister, more than 800 Ghanaians in South Africa have so far applied for evacuation following the recent wave of xenophobic attacks.
He stressed that government support would go beyond evacuation and would include measures aimed at helping returnees rebuild their lives in Ghana.
Xenophobic tensions spark diplomatic concerns
Reports of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals in South Africa have triggered concern across Ghana and other African countries in recent weeks.
Some South Africans involved in the attacks reportedly accuse foreign nationals of taking jobs and opportunities that should belong to locals, demanding that they leave the country.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the violence and appealed for calm, although tensions remain high in some communities.
The situation has already prompted diplomatic engagement between Ghana and South Africa as authorities attempt to prevent further escalation.
Some international relations experts have warned that continued attacks could strain diplomatic ties between the two countries and potentially trigger retaliatory sentiment against South African businesses operating in Ghana.
