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These stories of Super Eagles stars shed light on the darker side of football fandom, where footballers face relentless scrutiny and abuse.
In the realm of Nigerian football, Super Eagles players have often found themselves not just under the scrutiny of fans but also subjected to severe online abuse.
This phenomenon has unfortunately become a part of their journey, overshadowing their contributions on the pitch and impacting their mental well-being.
In this article, Pulse Sports delves into the experiences of some Super Eagles stars who have endured the harsh realities of online criticism.
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22:07 - 12.02.2024
Super Eagles stars show support to Alex Iwobi following AFCON disaster
In the wake of Nigeria's heart-wrenching loss to Ivory Coast in the AFCON Final, the spirit of camaraderie within the Super Eagles squad has been put to the test.
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16:07 - 12.02.2024
‘Ogun k**l your papa’ - Samuel Chukwueze’s pretty sister LAMBASTS troll who questioned his performances at AFCON 2023
Princess’s was not having it after Samuel Chukwueze was brutally trolled by a fan on social media.
Alex Iwobi: 5 Nigerian footballers who have suffered online abuse
1. Maduka Okoye
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The 24-year-old German-born Nigerian goalkeeper endured a barrage of mockery and criticism during the Super Eagles' campaign at the AFCON 2021 in Cameroon.
Okoye, who is famed for being the most handsome Nigerian footballer alive, was often called out by male supporters after winning the hearts of their female counterparts on and off the pitch.
The relentless attacks on social media compelled him to deactivate his social media accounts temporarily.
Despite the adversity, Okoye showed resilience, returning months later to continue supporting the national team.
However, the Udinese goalkeeper lost over 40,000 followers combined during that time on both Instagram and X.
2. Alex Iwobi
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Iwobi with a massive Instagram following of over 1.4 million, faced intense backlash following the Super Eagles' performance in the AFCON 2023 final against Cote d'Ivoire.
Most recently, Iwobi alongside a few other names were singled out by supporters over the team’s performance against the Elephants.
The barrage of negative comments forced him to wipe his Instagram page clean, leaving just one post.
However, a slew of Super Eagles stars have since rallied support for the Fulham midfielder who is currently one of the most capped players in the Nigeria national team.
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10:42 - 26.01.2024
You're never satisfied - Iwobi fires back at Nigerians calling for more Super Eagles goals at AFCON
Nigeria's Alex Iwobi believes 1-0 results are okay for now as the Super Eagles just want to win and qualify for the next round at the AFCON 2023.
3. Francis Uzoho
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The 25-year-old Omonia Nicosea goalkeeper, has been a lightning rod for criticism since 2021.
Firstly, Uzoho was called out by some fans over his age, before being constantly targeted for his goalkeeping errors.
He also found himself at the center of blame for Nigeria's failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, with the Super Eagles missing out at the expense of Ghana’s Black Stars.
Uzoho, feeling the weight of the relentless trolling, lashed out at critics before issuing an apology.
He also opted to deactivate his Twitter account, coupled with the loss of his starting position to the impressive Stanley Nwabali.
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19:13 - 12.02.2024
AFCON 2023: ‘I am sad, my players are sad’- Jose Peseiro
Super Eagles' dreams of glory were dashed as they fell to a resilient Ivory Coast, losing 2-1 in a match that saw Nigeria relinquish their lead and ultimately, the championship.
4. Yakubu Aiyegbeni
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The former Super Eagles and Everton striker is no stranger to public scrutiny.
His infamous miss against South Korea in the 2010 World Cup remains etched in Nigerian football history.
Despite widespread criticism, Aiyegbeni remains unapologetic, a reminder of the resilience required to withstand the pressures of public opinion.
5. Samuel Chukwueze
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Chukwueze has also found himself on the receiving end of social media abuse. Criticized for his performances at the international level, the 24-year-old AC Milan winger faced backlash following Nigeria's loss to Ivory Coast in the AFCON 2023 final.
Additionally, he was also constantly trolled and bantered for allegedly having an affair with his female best friend, Ikeme Amara.
The relentless negativity prompted Chukwueze to recently erase all posts related to his Super Eagles career from his Instagram page with over 1.4 million followers, and restrict his comments section.
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21:24 - 12.02.2024
AFCON 2023: Peseiro admits Super Eagles were second best in the final
In a night filled with high drama at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, the Super Eagles of Nigeria had to settle for second place as the Ivory Coast Elephants staged an unforgettable comeback to clinch their third Africa Cup of Nations title with a 2-1 victory.
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08:16 - 13.02.2024
Naija thank you, I love you — Troost-Ekong backs Super Eagles to soar again after AFCON heartbreak
William Troost-Ekong believes the Super Eagles will bounce back stronger despite falling short of winning their fourth AFCON title in Cote d’Ivoire.
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16:35 - 12.02.2024
Ahmed Musa celebrates Super Eagles AFCON journey
Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa celebrates Nigeria's AFCON journey.
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