Following the conclusion of the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast, where the Nigerian team secured second place after a 2-1 loss in the final, Alex Iwobi, one of the Super Eagles players, faced significant online criticism, becoming a target of trolling by some Nigerian football enthusiasts on his Instagram page. This backlash compelled the Fulham midfielder to delete all content from his Instagram account.
Since then, various celebrities and concerned Nigerians have rallied on social media platforms to show support for Iwobi, urging an end to the unwarranted trolling.
In response to this issue, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has released a statement to underscore Iwobi’s contributions to Nigerian football. The NFF reminds football enthusiasts that the 27-year-old forward is one of the most capped Nigerian players in history.
Furthermore, the statement highlights Iwobi’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, notably recalling his decisive goal against Zambia in Uyo.
The statement from the NFF emphasizes, “Alex Iwobi does not deserve these attacks. He has consistently displayed utmost dedication and a remarkable attitude during his international duties. We must not overlook the significant contributions he has made to Nigerian football, including his instrumental goal that secured Nigeria’s place in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.”
Highlighting Iwobi’s impressive record of 76 caps, making him the seventh most-capped Nigerian footballer in history, the NFF urges Nigerians to show appreciation and support for his efforts, rather than unwarranted criticism and negativity.
The statement concludes with a plea to “show him love and not hatred,” emphasizing the importance of recognizing and celebrating Iwobi’s dedication and patriotism to Nigerian football.