Following the recent attack on Super Eagles star Alex Iwobi after the team’s defeat to Ivory Coast in the final of the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations, some concerned Nigerians believe the country risks not only losing the commitment of the current squad but also players of Nigerian descent, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Eagles suffered a 2-1 defeat to Ivory Coast at the Stade Alassane Ouattara, ending the team’s dreams of a fourth continental crown.
The Fulham midfielder, who started all of Nigeria’s AFCON games, was in action for 79 minutes before he was taken off for Alhassan Yusuf.
Immediately after the final whistle, Iwobi became a subject of stiff criticism from fans and hours later, the 27-year-old was forced to delete photos from his Instagram handle for fear of cyber abuse.
He only left one video post. The Fulham man also locked the comment section of the post for fear of bullying.
Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, and some members of the current as well as ex-internationals have all condemned the attack on the midfielder.
On Tuesday, Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, threw his weight behind Iwobi while commending the player’s mentality.
However, some fans believed that such an occurrence is putting the national team at risk of losing players of Nigerian descent.
They think Eberechi eze and Michael Olise are not seeing all this. If we continue treating our players like this. We won’t have people representing Super Eagles anymore,” Ebuka Chuks wrote.
Oriyommie simply wrote, “Those that chose not to represent us were right after all.”
A concerned female fan, Elle Sweetsixtien, pleaded with Iwobi on behalf of the country.
“We win as a team and lose as a team,” she wrote.
“This behaviour towards Iwobi will prevent other ‘big name’ footballers from playing for Nigerian in AFCON. Tell Iwobi make him nor vex na price of cement and dollar rise dey make Nigerians para for am.”
Kunle Adeoye-Davids tweeted, “Even Osimhen wouldn’t be enthusiastic about playing for Nigeria in the future. Nigerians need to help to understand what it means to support a ball team.”
Hurt by the cyber-bullying, Tosin Adebayor doesn’t want players of Nigerian descent to represent the country again.
“I don’t want any of our diaspora to represent us. Because what’s this bullying. ? It happens abroad but in Nigeria it’s crazy and it needs to stop.”
