Super Eagles midfielder, Alex Iwobi, has taken the drastic step of deleting all pictures from his Instagram page following Nigeria’s defeat to Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Nigerian team fell short with a 2-1 loss to the host country, ending their hopes of securing a fourth AFCON trophy.
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Iwobi’s decision to wipe his Instagram feed comes amidst intense scrutiny and criticism from fans, particularly in the aftermath of the disappointing final. Concerned about potential cyberbullying, the Fulham player opted to leave only one video post on his profile and locked the comment section to prevent further abuse.
Reports suggest that Iwobi faced significant backlash from fans, prompting him to take these precautions to shield himself from online harassment. Despite featuring for 79 minutes in the final, where the Super Eagles failed to add to their AFCON titles, Iwobi found himself at the receiving end of harsh criticism.
In response to the cyberbullying directed at his teammate, Nigeria’s national team captain, Ahmed Musa, took to his social media platform to plead with fans to cease their attacks on Alex Iwobi. “Dear fans, I want to please urge you to halt the cyber-bullying directed towards Alex Iwobi. Cyber bullying is not just a violation of decency but also a serious crime. It’s hypocritical to claim that football unites us while engaging in such behavior.”
“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.”
“Instead of spreading negativity, let’s show genuine love and support to our players. They need our encouragement now more than ever. Let’s uplift each other and stand united, both in victory and defeat. 👏🦅🇳🇬 THANKS”
Musa’s plea reflects the broader issue of online abuse faced by athletes and underscores the need for a more respectful and supportive fan culture. As Alex Iwobi grapples with the aftermath of the AFCON loss, his teammates rally behind him, emphasizing the importance of solidarity in overcoming adversity both on and off the pitch.
