While some Nigerians seemed to have accepted the Super Eagle’s disappointing loss against host nation Ivory Coast at the AFCON final match in good faith, others have taken out the disappointment on some key players by bullying and blaming them for the match’s outcome.
Ivory Coast defeated Nigeria by 2-1 in a keenly contested match that had Nigerians initially confident of winning the trophy. Nigeria last won the AFCON tournament in 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi has become a significant target of cyberbullying due to what Nigerians perceive as unsatisfactory midfield performance.
Many Nigerians blamed him for a woeful performance, leading to many threats and insults on his Instagram page. It resulted in the 27-year-old deleting over a hundred posts.
His family members, including Nigerian football legend Jay-Jay Okocha’s daughter, Daniella Okocha, have not been spared either. However, Ms Okocha managed to handle the situation by putting the bullies in their place.
Iwobi, a former Arsenal star, alongside other Super Eagles players, arrived in Nigeria on Monday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and will be treated to a heroic and grand reception at the Presidential Villa Abuja by President Bola Tinubu today.
During an interactive section with the Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, on Monday, he spoke about cyberbullying and how he has handled numerous threats from Nigerians.
Iwobi disclosed that he took himself off social media immediately after the final match as a result of unpleasant messages, abuse and threats directed towards him.
“For me, I have taken myself out of social media after yesterday’s game,” he said.
Mr Enoh, who led the Super Eagles back home after the AFCON final match against Ivory Coast, told Iwobi, who is Jay Jay Okocha’s nephew, that he is aware of the cyberbullying and attacks he (Iwobi) has received since Sunday night.
The minister unequivocally denounced any behaviour aimed at bullying or harming Nigerian athletes, emphasising the ministry’s concern regarding the treatment of the country’s sportsmen and women, especially after a defeat.
The minister said: “I am aware of what is happening on social media, and as a ministry, this isn’t the first time we will make a statement against bullying, not just you but our sportsmen and women in general who are exposed to bullying due to the outcome of competitions. We are concerned about how our sportsmen and women are treated”.
“You did your best for your country, and I am proud of you. The leadership and the rest of the country are proud of you. Those who are not are in the far minority and do not speak for the rest of our country, so just be strong.
“You did your best, and you are part of a team that brought home a silver medal, which the country last won at AFCON 2000, 23 years ago. You put in your best, thank you very much.”
On Sunday, 11 February, social media went agog after the Super Eagles’ 2-1 loss to the Ivory Coast in the AFCON 2023 final.
By Friday Omosola |Premium Times |