Nigeria midfielder Sani Kaita has been left shaken by the numerous death threats he has received after being sent off against Greece.
Nigeria were leading 1-0 against Greece when Kaita received a straight red card for kicking out at Greece's Vasilis Torosidis.
But the Super Eagles conceded two goals after they were reduced to ten men with two thirds of the match left. The defeat has left Nigeria's chances of qualifying for the knockout stages of the tournament hanging by a thread.
"Kaita has so far received more than 1,000 threats to his email from within Nigeria," said team spokesman Peterside Idah.
"We are taking these threats very seriously. We have spoken to the Nigerian government to inform them about it and also written to Fifa to notify them."
The Super Eagles must beat South Korea on Tuesday to have any chance of qualifying from Group B.
According to Idah, the midfielder has been left "terribly shaken but, fortunately, he is receiving great support from his team-mates and team officials."
Colombian footballer Andreas Escobar, who scored an own goal against the United States in the 1994 World Cup, was shot dead in his home country after the tournament.
http://www.skysports.com/football/world-cup-2010/story/0,27032,12098_6217059,00.html
