The captain of Nigeria’s Super Eagles Ahmed Musa has led calls to end online bullying against midfielder Alex Iwobi. Some football fans have been trolling Iwobi on social media, blaming the 27-year-old player for their country’s 1-2 loss to Ivory Coast in Sunday’s Afcon final.
Iwobi played in the match for 79 minutes, before he was substituted by Alhassan Yusuf. The online attacks prompted Iwobi to delete his Instagram pictures on Monday.
Musa and some other Nigerians have come to Iwobi’s defence, condemning the targeted online attacks against the player and saying it is unfair to single him out for the team’s loss.
“Dear fans, I want to please urge you to halt the cyber-bullying directed towards Alex Iwobi,” Musa shared on X, formerly Twitter.
“Losing a game is undoubtedly tough, but targeting a single player for the team’s shortcomings is unfair and unjust. We win as a team, and we lose as a team. Alex gave his all on the field, just like every member of our squad,” he added.
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh who led the Super Eagles of Nigeria back home after the final match, had a tete-a-tete with Iwobi. He strongly condemns any activity which seeks to bully or harm any Nigerian athlete.
Senator John Enoh told Iwobi : “You did your best for your country and I am proud of you. The leadership and the rest of the country is 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, you are part of a team that brought home a silver medal which the country last won at AFCON 2000, which is 23 years ago. You put in your best, thank you very much.”
