Malema: You can’t quit relationship because your partner is going through a difficult period

EFF leader Julius Malema has called on South Africans to support Bafana Bafana in their upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifier match against Burkina Faso.

The EFF leader’s call comes after reports of low ticket sales.

In a series of tweets, Malema said it was not right for South Africans to give up on the national soccer team. 

“You can’t give up on yourself, you are Bafana Bafana,” he said.

He said people should buy the tickets and go to FNB Stadium to watch the match, set to take place on Saturday.

However, most of his followers said though they always agreed with Malema, he was alone on this one, saying it was no secret that the team would lose to Burkina Faso.

They said supporting Bafana Bafana was the same as being in an abusive relationship, but the EFF leader disagreed.

Malema said giving up on the national team was the same as giving up on one’s partner because they were going through a tough time.

“Not abuse, you can’t quit a relationship because your partner is going through a difficult period. That’s cowardice.”

His party also released a statement calling for people to support the national team.

“As a nation, we are not known to be quitters who give up on our own. We must demonstrate hope by always showing up in numbers. The game of soccer always depends on the moral support the players get from fans and we as a nation must be there to provide this moral support. 

“Bafana Bafana has a great history of making us proud as a nation. It is not the time to give up on them. In fact, when they face difficulties, it is when we must raise the bar of our support even higher,” it said. 

It further said it would give away 1 000 tickets to learners and  supporters in Johannesburg to demonstrate its support for the national team.