International Football
SOCIAL MEDIA BULLYING OF BLACK PLAYERS: ‘WE NEED TO DO MORE’ SAYS SUPER EAGLES’ OFFICIAL, TUNDE ADELAKUN
International football commentator, Tunde Adelakun has called on the authorities to be bold and come out and do more to protect football players who have come under attack by fans on social media lately.
The incidence of social media racist abuse seems to have increased significantly over the last few months with no less than ten Europe based black football players suffering one form of abuse or the other each passing day.
‘It has become scary these days’, says Adelakun, who is also the first assistant to the head coach of the Nigerian football team – the Super Eagles.
‘You just have to look at a team playing perhaps below par and you just know that a few of their players, mostly black ones, will come under heavy attack with monkey emojis and racial slurs aimed at them before the day runs out’.
Clubs in Europe have come to take various stances against the menace in recent weeks following racial abuse of their players.
Swansea FC which has Ghana’s Andre Ayew on their books, Birmingham City also in the second tier of English football and newly crowned Scottish Premiership champions Rangers have all opted out of social media activities for one week, in protest at the lack of enough measures by the social media companies to curb the abuse.
But does anyone know where it all stemmed from? Adelakun believes that racism has never been more apparent in today’s sport, perhaps due to the restrictions brought about by the pandemic.
‘Racism is a part of the human fabric and has been for many years’, the former Publisher of New African Soccer magazine explained, ‘and I have seen firsthand, the effect of the chants and jeers on the mentality of African players in my time.
‘It is an extension of the wider society, I have always said, and it is not easy to curb or stop.
‘This pandemic has brought idleness to our midst, and because we can’t seem to get out and go to the stadium and watch games, we vent our frustrations using our keypads.
‘This time, the racist individual who might be able to go out and shout his racist chants at a player in a stadium can’t anymore. He therefore reverts to doing it on social media, where more people will see it, and add their own take to the one, which then makes it even bigger’.
‘It is particularly sad when you see that these players are laying life and limb on the line to provide entertainment and earn a living, yet they are being abused, and getting even more threats to their families who have done no one any wrong. It is scary’, he says.
Tunde Adelakun is also the voice of TundeTalks, which is a mentoring and mindset coaching service that he offers to corporate organisations and individuals, and he has had to use his mental skills to help some players who have received abuse over time.
‘Yes’, he confirms, ‘I indeed have had to speak to a good few of Africa’s best players who have suffered abuse by online bullies and tried to redirect their minds to continue to focus on their primary tasks, which is to enjoy their vocation which is football, play to the best of their abilities and blot out the noises from online racists and bullies’.
But he believes more can be done by the authorities.
‘These players are always alone when things like these happen to them. I have seen it first hand. There is no support network and I think there should be more support for the players and coaches who suffer racist abuse, than there is now’
‘Broadcast organisations have been vocal, as have the respective clubs of the players involved. But the wider authorities need to be bold enough to make a big statement to show solidarity with the players.
‘CAF is the custodian of football in Africa, and I think it is high time that this confederation steps up and provides more support to its players who form a huge majority of victims of racial abuse by online bullies around the world.
‘Not once has CAF come out to condemn the act of abuse on an African player, and this is worrisome, when we consider the fact that if this same player does something good, we all rush to claim the player as one of us and shout his name to the high heavens.
‘I think there should be a support system by CAF to look at directly liaising with our players and checking on their well-being anytime they are bullied and abused on social media’. Adelakun, also the founder and CEO of Africa’s scouts and coaches network AFSCON, concluded.
It will be recalled that the likes of Cameroonian assistant coach of Turkish club Istanbul Besakhsehir came under intense social media attack following a high profile spat in a Champions League game earlier this season. Since then players like Glasgow Rangers’ Glen Kamara, Valencia’s Diakhaby and Liverpool female player Rinsola Babajide of Nigeria are just a few of African players that have been subjected to intense and brutal racial slurs on social media in recent weeks
Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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