Nigerian international defender Igoh Ogbu, under contract with Slavia Prague, accepts criticism of his game but refuses to let his family be targeted by insults from supporters, according to Africa Top Sports via Dongqiudi.
Aged 26, the Slavia Prague and Nigeria national team defender accepts criticism of his performances. What he does not tolerate are attacks on his loved ones. His comments, reported by Africa Top Sports via Dongqiudi, come as he has been recovering since June.
To illustrate his position, he draws on an anecdote that shows the violence of some supporters’ reactions after a defeat. A way, he says, of drawing a clear line between sporting debate and abuse.
“I have never insulted a supporter”
The player draws a clear line between sporting criticism and insult. “For example, on social media, if I see someone saying the Nigeria players are rubbish, I let it go. I have never insulted a supporter in my life,” he said, quoted by Africa Top Sports.
The red line, however, lies elsewhere. “The only thing that makes me angry is when you bring my family into your criticism,” added the Nigerian international. The debate over performances therefore remains open, but his family must not be dragged into the controversy.
The plane and the bet
To illustrate the violence of some reactions, Ogbu recounts a scene that left its mark on him. After a Slavia Prague defeat, a supporter who had bet on the result prayed for the plane carrying the team to crash, according to Africa Top Sports. The story comes from the player himself and shows how far reactions in the heat of the moment can go beyond criticism.
The defender does not dispute sporting criticism. He only asks that his family stay out of the debate.
Nigeria and Tanzania in sight
While the player has been recovering since June, Nigeria sit second in Group L ahead of two matches against Tanzania, co-host of the 2027 AFCON, according to Africa Top Sports. The two meetings, Nigeria – Tanzania and then Tanzania – Nigeria, are scheduled for November 2026, as part of the qualifiers for the continental competition.
Ogbu is not expected to be called up by coach Eric Chelle for these matches. At this stage, this information rests only on Africa Top Sports: it should therefore be treated as unconfirmed.