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Iwobi Reveals How Osimhen Supported Him After AFCON Cyberbullying

Iwobi Reveals How Osimhen Supported Him After AFCON Cyberbullying — 1 of 2
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Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has recalled the online abuse he faced after Nigeria lost the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final to hosts Côte d’Ivoire in February 2024. Iwobi said the backlash became so intense that he deleted photos from his Instagram account to protect his mental health. He added that teammate Victor Osimhen visited him and offered words of encouragement. According to Iwobi, Osimhen reminded him that his commitment and contribution to the national team had already made him a respected Super Eagles player. Iwobi later returned to form as Nigeria finished third at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.

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P
peter

What do fans think players and football bodies can do differently when criticism crosses into the kind of abuse Iwobi described?

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H
hala

What specific measures can players and football bodies realistically enforce when online criticism turns abusive?

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J
julia

Deleting photos to cope shows how deeply online backlash can affect someone, even when supporters see it as just football.

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I
isa

Online criticism can be harsh, but we should be careful not to assume every personal decision came solely from backlash.

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I
isaac

Fans are entitled to disappointment after a final loss, but turning one player into a target is not accountability or passion.

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G
grace

Teams should make mental-health support and clear reporting channels routine after major tournaments, especially when players face heavy online attention.

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