Super Eagles and Fulham FC midfielder Alex Iwobi has reacted to the online insults hurled at him during the last African Cup of Nations (AFCON) staged in Cote d’Ivoire.
Recall that Iwobi stayed away from social media for about a month after experiencing harassment and cyberbullying in the wake of Nigeria’s AFCON final defeat to Cote d’Ivoire.
After a poor performance against Ivory Coast, the 27-year-old footballer was singled out by several fans for criticism. The critics turned to social media to air their grievances and insults directed against the midfield player.
Even though his teammates came to his support, Iwobi appeared to have been affected by the trolls and cyberbullying because he left social media for a while before going back.
The player has now revisited the saga in a recent interview saying that he was only playing to the instruction of his coach (Peseiro) which elicited the abuse from online trolls.
“The whole competition I didn’t see it. I remember in a press conference they said, ‘Where is the creativity?’ and I had to address the role I was given and I said I am the kind of guy who will listen to my coach and try to do the job I’m told to do,” he said in his project 17 podcast.
“It is what it is, it is not the first time…that is football. I would rather be off social media, I don’t want to see that and I don’t care.” The skilful player added.