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Nigerian Super Eagles player and Fulham midfielder, Alex Iwobi, following the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, the sports world has been reminded of the dark side of social media.
The final, which saw Ivory Coast clinch a 2-1 victory over Nigeria, sparked a wave of online criticism targeting Iwobi for his performance. This situation escalated to the point where Iwobi felt compelled to withdraw from social media platforms to escape the harsh backlash.
The cyberbullying began in earnest after Nigeria’s hopes for the AFCON Cup were dashed in a closely contested final held in Abidjan. Despite the team’s efforts, it was the criticism of the performance of Iwobi that dominated Nigerian social media and football forums.
Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa took to his X (formerly Twitter) account, urging fans to halt the cyberbullying and support the team’s players.
Iwobi’s response to cyber bullying
In a revealing conversation with Nigeria’s Minister of Sports and Youth Development, John Eno, Iwobi shared that the aftermath of the tournament and the cyberbullying he experienced led him to stay off social media.
This decision underscores the emotional toll such online harassment can have on athletes, who often use these platforms to connect with fans and share personal milestones.
The Nigerian government, represented by the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, has expressed concern over the cyberbullying trend, emphasizing the achievements of Iwobi and the Super Eagles.
The minister’s statements serve as a reminder of the collective achievements and progress of the team since Iwobi’s inclusion. Furthermore, it highlights the government’s stance against cyberbullying and its commitment to protecting its athletes from such unwarranted attacks.