Footballers are most often loved and adored by fans and followers of the game who exhibit their passion by endlessly screaming the names of their idols, downing their jerseys and following their footsteps.
However, this relationship might suddenly turn sour anytime the player commits an unpardonable blunder on the pitch or is embroiled in any form of scandal.
That is the experience of some Nigerian footballers who where one time celebrated but are now on the bad books of the fans.
For some, they are certainly not wanted by a particular section of the fans at their clubs while others fans simply don’t want to ever see some appear on the Super Eagles jersey.
Here are our top four pick.
- Sani Kaita
Sani Kaita fell into the unwanted list of Nigerians after he got himself sent off in the must win 2010 FIFA World Cup clash against Greece. With the Eagles leading 1-0, the midfielder appeared to have kicked Vasilis Torosidis which caused the game to end in a stalemate. He remains the only Nigerian to be sent off in the history of the World Cup and was inundated with death threats after Nigeria’s exit.
“That match was what I could say ended my national team career because since then I haven’t been invited to the team,” the 30-year-old admitted.
- Yakubu Aiyegbeni
Just like Kaita, Yakubu Aiyegbeni was another victim of a dismal outing in South Africa six years ago. The attacker failed to convert a pass towards goal against South Korea in Nigeria’s final group game which would have sealed their spot in the next round. Aiyegbeni remains one of the country’s most deadly strikers ever with over 20 goals for the Super Eagles and five times that figure in the Premier League.
“I don’t have any problems with the public,” the 33-year-old said about his miss. “When you miss chances, it’s only normal that they criticise you so I have no problems with them.”
- Sunday Oliseh
He might have captained the Super Eagles for several years, but Sunday Oliseh was never a popular leader during his playing days. The former Juventus man is one of the country’s best defensive midfielders ever but his arrogance both as player and coach made him one of the most vilified footballers. He had a fiery reputation as a player, missing the 2002 World Cup for disciplinary reasons and was later sacked by Borussia Dortmund for allegedly punching a team mate, Vapid Hashemian, during a loan spell at VfL Bochum. In his brief spell as Nigeria coach, he described fans as “insane” in a popular YouTube rant.
- Efe Ambrose
Efe Ambrose is fighting to save his career at Scottish champions, Celtic, after falling out of favour with new coach, Brendan Rodgers. The 27-year-old who has made over a century appearances for The Bhoys has been singled out by fans after a string of calamitous appearances. Fans of the club even went as far as raising a JustGiving page to fund the sale of the player.
“In terms of Efe, people have seen him a lot more than me, and he knows that if he can cut out mistakes and errors that he makes in games, then you have a very good player,” Rodgers told Celtic’s official website.
