AFCON final: Osimhen begs Nigerians to stop cyberbullying Iwobi

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has made a plea to Nigerians to halt cyberbullying against his teammate, Alex Iwobi, in the aftermath of Nigeria’s defeat to Ivory Coast at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

In the wake of the Super Eagles’ loss, Iwobi faced a barrage of negative remarks from certain fans criticizing his performance in the game. This led Iwobi, who currently plays for Fulham in the Premier League, to announce his departure from social media following the AFCON final match due to the bullying he endured.

Subsequently, unverified reports surfaced online suggesting that the former Arsenal star was contemplating retiring from international football.

However, Osimhen has stepped forward to offer his support to Iwobi, urging those responsible for the cyberbullying to consider Iwobi’s mental well-being, highlighting that footballers are human and prone to errors.

“I urge Nigerians to recognize that cyberbullying is harmful because, ultimately, we are all human,” stated the Napoli star in Abuja on Tuesday. “At times, we falter. Sometimes, our performance earns us praise, while at other times, criticism is warranted. However, when offering criticism, it should be done constructively.”

“Frankly, the treatment Alex [Iwobi] has received is unjust and harmful. It’s crucial to also consider his mental health, as some of us may handle such pressure differently. While some may use it as motivation to improve, others may struggle, leading to a loss of focus and form. As a team, we’re offering our support to him, both individually and collectively,” Osimhen added.