Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-13 01:33:09
Following the Nigeria national football team’s loss to Ivory Coast in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, midfielder Alex Iwobi has made the decision to delete all photos from his Instagram page. The defeat and subsequent cyber abuse from fans have led him to take this drastic measure in an attempt to shield himself from further criticism.
The Super Eagles were defeated by the host country with a score of 2-1, marking an end to their pursuit of a fourth AFCON title. Iwobi bore the brunt of fans’ disappointment following the match, sparking his deletion of all pictures from his social media account. In an attempt to mitigate further abuse, he left only one video post and disabled the comment section to prevent further bullying.
Despite Iwobi’s efforts to distance himself from the negativity, team captain Ahmed Musa has stepped in to defend his fellow player. Musa took to social media to urge fans to refrain from targeting Iwobi with cyberbullying. He emphasized the importance of unity and solidarity, stating that singling out one player for the team’s performance is unjust and unfair. Musa highlighted the collective effort of the team, urging fans to recognize that they win and lose together.
In his plea to supporters, Musa condemned cyberbullying as both a violation of decency and a serious crime. He expressed the hypocrisy in claiming that football unites people while simultaneously engaging in such harmful behavior. Musa acknowledged that while losing a game is difficult, it should not warrant singling out individual players for blame.
Iwobi’s decision to clear his Instagram feed and limit interaction with fans reflects the toll that online abuse can take on athletes. The impact of cyberbullying on mental health has prompted many public figures to take measures to protect themselves from unwarranted criticism and hate speech. Musa’s intervention serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to support and uplift players, especially in the face of defeat.
Moving forward, Musa’s plea emphasizes the need for fans to channel their disappointment constructively and refrain from directing personal attacks at individual players. The Super Eagles’ performance in the AFCON represents a collective effort, and the responsibility for both success and failure lies with the entire team. By standing in solidarity with Iwobi and advocating for an end to cyberbullying, Musa exemplifies the values of sportsmanship, unity, and respect within the football community.
