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Go and Improve on Your Own Career, Stop Insulting Our Coaches and Players — Bako
Women’s football advocate, Moses Nagogo Bako, has condemned what he described as the excessive social media insults, cyberbullying and personal attacks directed at coaches and players of the Super Falcons.
Bako, reacting to the growing criticism of the team and its technical crew on social media, said criticism is acceptable in football, but the level of personal abuse being directed at individuals has gone far beyond constructive criticism.
“I have read enough. What is this? Even if dem kill una pikin, e don do na. This is too much,” Bako said, expressing his frustration at the manner in which some fans and commentators have been attacking members of the Super Falcons.
According to him, Nigerians have every right to question tactics, team selection, performances and results, but such criticism should never become an excuse to insult, humiliate or bully coaches and players.
He urged those constantly attacking football professionals on social media to channel their energy into improving themselves and building their own careers.
“Go and build your own career. Go for capacity-building courses. Improve yourself and become better at what you do,” he said.
Bako also questioned the credentials of some of those who have made a habit of attacking coaches and players online, noting that some critics may themselves be struggling in their respective fields.
“Some of you are even failures in what you do, but you have been on the neck of our coaches and players. Before you condemn another person’s career, ask yourself what you have achieved in your own field,” he added.
Moses Nagogo Bako watching a local women’s league match in Nigeria
The women’s football advocate stressed that football stakeholders must create an environment where players and coaches can learn from mistakes without being subjected to personal abuse.
He particularly appealed to supporters of the Super Falcons to remember that players are human beings who have families, emotions and careers beyond the football pitch.
“Criticise the performance if you must. Question the tactics. Demand accountability. But stop the insults and bullying. You don’t build Nigerian football by destroying the confidence of the people working for it.”
Bako maintained that constructive criticism has an important role to play in the development of Nigerian football, but personal attacks, name-calling and cyberbullying will do more harm than good.
He called on fans, analysts, bloggers and football stakeholders to support the Super Falcons while also demanding better standards from the team.
“Let us disagree without destroying people. Let us criticise football, not destroy the footballers and coaches.”
