Afcon: Okoye, Iwobi get death threats as Kurfi exonerates Buhari from Eagles loss

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye and midfielder, Alex Iwobi, have been subjected to cyberbullying by fans, including death threats, after Nigeria’s exit from the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon on Sunday following a 1-0 defeat to Tunisia reports Sahara Reporters.

Youssef Msakni scored the only goal of the encounter with a strike from 25 yards out to fire Tunisia to the last eight and break Nigerian hearts.

Some fans felt Okoye should have saved Msakni’s effort, while Iwobi was sent off for a foul after just six minutes on the pitch for what was deemed to be a dangerous tackle.

Iwobi had been sent into the game in the 59th minute for Kelechi Iheanacho to help change the complexity of the game, but his sending off further piled pressure on the midfield and the defence.

An Instagram user @Clifford_Marius under a picture posted by Okoye wrote, “It will not be well with you. I pray you don’t see next month, you will die in a plane crash.”

@la_isle on Instagram wrote, “Maduka, you will not live long. You sold this AFCON match to the Tunisians.”

@pelexofLagos wrote, “Maduka Okoye, God will punish you and your family, your incompetence cost us AFCON.”

StCollins wrote, “You are the worst goalkeeper on earth.”

Striker Sadiq Umar had also been a subject of online bullying over his performance in some of the country’s group stage games.

Okoye and Iwobi were also subjects of social media memes.

However, they took individual action to reduce the effects of the abuses, with Okoye restricting comments on his Instagram handle, while Iwobi deleted all pictures on his page.

The Everton midfielder had previously deactivated his Twitter following the online abuses.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Katsina State Football Association, Aminu Balele Kufi, has expressed dismay and disappointment in Nigerians who have continued to blame President Muhammadu Buhari for Super Eagles loss at Afcon reports Daily Trust.

Nigerians have since blamed the shocking defeat on the telephone conversation between the President and the team before the kick-off of the must-win match.

In his reaction, Kurfi who is a member of the NFF Technical Committee chided such Nigerians as he said they were simply transferring needless aggression.

“For me, blaming Mr President for Super Eagles loss is unnecessary and ridiculous to say the least. Those making such childish comments are barking at the wrong tree. I do not see any connection between the Presidential chat and Super Eagles’ defeat.

“Honestly, Mr President squeezed out time to talk to the team despite his crowded schedule, so he should be commended. Nigerians shouldn’t take such Presidential support for granted,” said the former chairman of Katsina United.

He said instead of crying over spilt milk, Nigerians should find time to pray for the Eagles to have better luck in their future engagements.

“The Super Eagles didn’t perform badly. It was simply a bad day for them. When luck is not on your side, there is nothing you can do.

“Instead of trading blame over the defeat, I urge Nigerians to pray for the team to have better luck in future. We shouldn’t expend too much time and energy on what has happened already,” said Kurfi.