Keita death threat does not worry Nigerian players

Nigeria yesterday played down alleged death threats made against midfielder Sani Kaita following a match-deciding red card in a World Cup clash against Greece.

"There is nothing official. There is not an official death threat where we can panic," team spokesman Idah Peterside said on the eve of their decisive Group B match against South Korea.

"In our language, when we say 'We kill you', it means 'We're not happy with you'."

Peterside's comments came just a day after he himself said that Kaita had already received "more than 1,000" death threats via email.

South African police spokeswoman Sally de Beer said earlier Monday: "It is alleged that Mr Kaita has received numerous death threats via e-mail and according to the team's spokesperson these threats emanate from Nigeria.