AFCON: Sports minister condemns Iwobi’s social media troll

Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has condemned in strong terms the media attack on Super Eagles and Fulham’s midfielder, Alex Iwobi, after Nigeria’s 1-2 loss at the final of the 2023 AFCON which ended in Ivory Coast on Sunday.

Enoh, who led the Super Eagles of Nigeria back home from Abidjan, had a tete-a-tete with Iwobi and said the Ministry will continue to protect Nigeria’s sportsmen and women who are flying the nation’s flag high at major tournaments around the world.

A statement from Enoh’s special adviser, media, Diana Mary Nsan, quoted the minister as saying, “I am aware of what is happening on social media and as a Ministry, this isn’t the first time we are going to make a statement against bullying, not just you, but our sportsmen and women in general who are exposed to bullying due to the outcome of competitions. We are concerned about how our sportsmen and women are treated. For me, I have taken myself out of social media after yesterday’s game.”

The outcome of the AFCON 2023 final match has seen Iwobi experience a routine of unpleasant remarks hurled at him by cyberbullies which the former Arsenal player confirmed by exiting social media.

The minister however encouraged the player when he said, “You did your best for your country and I am proud of you. The leadership and the rest of the country is proud of you. Those who are not are in the far minority and do not speak for the rest of our country, so just be strong.

“You did your best, you are part of a team that brought home a silver medal which the country last won at AFCON 2000, which is 23 years ago. You put in your best, thank you very much.”