Following the failure of the Super Eagles of Nigeria to win the just concluded African Cup of Nations, AFCON, mixed reactions have continued to trail the outcome of the tournament, especially the abysmal performance of the Eagles during the final on Sunday February 11, 2024, against the host country, Ivory Coast.
Recall that the Super Eagles lost 2-1 to the Ivorians and since then, it has been trolling and bashing of some of the super Eagles players. Unfortunately, former Arsenal FC midfielder, Alex Iwobi has been at the centre of the heat, with many accusing him of being responsible for Nigeria’s inability to lift the cup due to his poor performance.
The young man has since been subjected to all manner of cyber bullying, attacks, trolls, insults, and more. Following all that, Iwobi took to his verified Instagram account to delete every post on his page, leaving just one post there, which is an advert for a clothing brand.
Many people have in reaction, condemned the attacks and bullying targeted at Iwobi, especially looking at the fact that he wasn’t the only player who featured in the tournament or final match, as such, wonder how he’s being singled out for such maltreatment just because he chose to serve his fatherland. Including veteran Nigerian comedian and entertainer, AY comedian is among those who have come hard on those bullying Iwobi.
AY labelled most of those bullying Iwobi as failures in their different life’s endeavours, who only come online to beg others money to cater for their needs resulting from their failure in life. He equally reminded them that their inability to take care of their needs at Iwobi’s age is a glaring case of failure and that if those involved in this act were actually gainfully employed they wouldn’t have the time to be doing such.
“It doesn’t make sense at all. He came back home with his fullest intentions to serve his fatherland. Some of you here have failed in your various responsibilities in life,” he wrote, and continuing he added, “begging money online or expecting others to take care of you is failure…your inability not to take care of yourselves at Iwobi’s age is failure. Coming online and trolling him is also as a result of your failure. If una get work una go get all the time . Fail fail”.
Read some of the comments made by AY and other personalities on this matter below…
On the other hand, one of the oldest players in the current Super Eagles squad, Ahmed Musa has come out to defend his teammate Iwobi, in the face of the maltreatment meted out to the young man whose only sin is choosing to represent his fatherland. He equally reminded all those involved in the act that it is such a serious crime and violation of decency, as Iwobi gave his best whenever he was given the opportunity to do so.
He berated those involved for always shouting that football unites the country while indulging into such despicable and inhumane act. He equally reminded that targeting a single player is bad as they played as a team and when they lose, they equally lose as a team.
Well, sometimes I just get tired of the kind of human beings we have in this part of the world, honestly. People who are never satisfied even when you cut off your head to please them, because I do not really understand what they are looking for in this young man’s life who played out his heart during the tournament.
There’s no player on planet earth who always have their best day whenever they play, I’m yet to come across such player/players, not even the great Pele of Brazil, Maradona of Argentina, Cristiano Ronaldo, Leo Messi, to mention just a few, have been able to fill that void. Just like we would say in our local parlance, everybody is not Christmas and that settles this case.
Please give Iwobi a breathing space!