Pretoria - Police will keep a close eye on Nigerian soccer player Sani Kaita and maintain strict security measures after the midfielder allegedly received death threats.
The police's National Joint Operation and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) said it was aware of reports that Kaita had received a number of death threats via e-mail which allegedly emanated from Nigeria.
Kaita was red carded during his team's 2-1 loss to Greece on Thursday.
"The team security liaison officer with the Nigerian team has been requested to pay close attention to Mr Kaita and to ensure that the stringent security measures already in place are sustained," NATJOINTS said.
All 32 teams participating in the soccer World Cup are assigned a team security liaison officer to coordinate all security matters related to the team and individual players, police said.
The officer, who is an "experienced and highly trained" South African Police Service member and "close protectors" travel with the teams wherever they go.
The teams are also being closely protected by members of the SAPS elite units.
While no case docket has been opened with the SAPS relating to the death threats against Kaita, FIFA was aware of the reports of the threats, NATJOINTS said.
