Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has made a significant digital shift, paring down his Instagram presence to just one post, following Nigeria’s loss to Cote d’Ivoire in the finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Eagles’ hopes were dashed in a hard-fought battle, ending in a 2-1 defeat by the Elephants at the Alassane Quattara Olympic Stadium in Abidjan. Franck Kessie and Sebastien Haller’s second-half strikes nullified William Troost-Ekong’s initial effort, clinching the host’s third AFCON title.
In the wake of the disappointing loss, Iwobi, along with Ola Aina and others, faced sharp criticism, with some fans questioning coach Jose Peseiro’s tactical decisions, particularly regarding Iwobi’s role in the starting lineup.
The Fulham midfielder, who featured for 79 minutes in the match, ultimately couldn’t help the Eagles secure another AFCON triumph. Iwobi was substituted for Alhassan Yusuf during the final minutes of the game.
This isn’t the first time Iwobi has faced scrutiny after a major tournament. The 27-year-old previously received criticism for his performance during Nigeria’s exit from the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon.
As of February 12, a check on Iwobi’s Instagram page revealed that he had removed all but one post, featuring a fashion brand shared on December 1, 2023, with its comment section muted. Reports suggest that the former Arsenal star made this move in response to critics flooding the comment section of his posts.
The Super Eagles squad and crew are expected to return to Abuja on Monday evening, concluding their AFCON journey with mixed emotions.
