Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Dennis Erezi
Published on 2024-02-14 13:58:43
Super Eagles striker Umar Sadiq has spoken out against the online bullies who have targeted him and his teammate, Alex Iwobi, on social media. The attacks on Iwobi, who had been trolled for his performance in the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Ivory Coast, prompted Sadiq to respond with a stern warning on Instagram.
Following the Super Eagles’ 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast in the AFCON final, online bullies took to social media to criticize Iwobi’s performance, leading him to delete all the pictures from his Instagram page. The bullies then turned their attention to Sadiq, who was not part of the squad for the tournament due to injury. This caught the attention of the Real Sociedad striker and prompted him to take a stand.
In response to the online abuse, Sadiq expressed his displeasure, saying, “I didn’t even play and you’re insulting me. Please, I’m not Iwobi. I’ll insult someone’s father and mother if you push me. Yes, I am that typical Hausa boy. Can’t you see the fear in my eyes?” He further condemned the behavior of the bullies, accusing them of trying to push people into depression and mental breakdown, adding, “Yet you want life to be better for you, it will never be better for you! Vagabonds!”
As Sadiq prepares for his 30th appearance of the season for Sociedad in their upcoming UEFA Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain, he is aiming to restore his reputation. Despite struggling this season due to a significant injury, Sadiq had previously gained recognition for his goal-scoring abilities in the Segunda Division with Almeria, where he scored an impressive 38 goals in 2020/21 and 2021/22. However, this season, he has only managed two goals and an assist in 29 games.
In light of the negative online attention directed at him and Iwobi, Sadiq’s warning serves as a reminder of the impact of bullying on mental health. As a professional athlete, Sadiq has experienced both the highs and lows of the sport and is determined to rise above the challenges he has faced. Despite the setbacks, he remains focused on achieving success with Sociedad and is eager to leave a lasting impression in the UEFA Champions League.
