Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
Members of the silver-winning Super Eagles team in the just-concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire have been conferred with national honours by President Bola Tinubu.
At a reception held to welcome them to the country on Tuesday, the President awarded each member of the team with the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) for their display at the tournament, won by the host nation after defeating Nigeria in the final on Sunday by 2-1.
Mr Tinubu, while addressing the country’s national football team at the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja, said the players will also receive a flat and a plot of land each at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which is to be facilitated immediately by the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike.
All the team members and officials were in attendance, including Alex Iwobi, who had faced cyber-attacks from Nigerian netizens who felt he did not give his best in the final match.
The team captain, Ahmed Musa, who did not get playing time at the competition, appealed to Nigerians on Monday to take it easy on his teammate, urging them to stop cyberbullying Alex Iwobi.
Musa had written, “Dear fans, I want to please urge you to halt the cyber-bullying directed towards Alex Iwobi. Cyberbullying is not just a violation of decency but also a serious crime. It’s hypocritical to claim that football unites us while engaging in such behaviour.
“Losing a game is undoubtedly tough, but targeting a single player for the team’s shortcomings is unfair and unjust.
“We win as a team, and we lose as a team. Alex gave his all on the field, just like every member of our squad.
“Instead of spreading negativity, let’s show genuine love and support to our players. They need our encouragement now more than ever. Let’s uplift each other and stand united, both in victory and defeat.”
The Minister of Sports Development, Mr John Enoh, also rallied behind the Fulham star.
“I condemn strongly the cyberbullying of Alex Iwobi or any other sportsman or woman,” he wrote in a Tuesday video post on his X handle that captured him in a meeting with Iwobi.
“They give a lot if not all of themselves when representing our Nation, the least we can do is rally support for them, be kind and gracious with words and actions towards them.
“Dear Alex Iwobi be strong. You were part of a team that brought home a silver medal from AFCON 2023. The last time we won a silver was 23 years ago at AFCON 2000.
“Cyber bullies do not determine what the leadership of the country, the rest of Nigerians including myself, think of you. You did your best and gave over four days for the love of the nation. We applaud you. We are proud of you, keep soaring.”
