The Three Lions were one of the favorites to go all the way and claim their second world title but they came up short in the quarterfinals against Les Bleus
Several Nigerian football fans have emerged in full force in their show of support for Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka after he was the subject of attack from angry England fans.
Saka was one of England’s best players at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he scored three goals – including a brace against Iran – to help the Three Lions reach the quarterfinals of the tournament.
But England’s dream came to an abrupt halt on Saturday, as France claimed a thrilling 2-1 win to send head coach Gareth Southgate and his men home.
Saka delivered another impressive showing in that encounter: the 21-year-old winger won the penalty that Harry Kane converted for England’s only goal.
As England trailed in the last few minutes, they were awarded another penalty which Harry Kane missed, sending the ball high into the Qatari sky.
If anyone should be blamed for England’s ouster from the World Cup, the Tottenham Hotspur striker would logically be the number one scapegoat.
But some angry English fans have turned instead on Saka, who they somehow believe should be held responsible for the Three Lions’ aborted dream.
While Kane is being consoled to not dwell too much on his misplaced spot-kick, Saka is being hounded for not doing enough for an England victory.
One frustrated fan wrote, among many others, on Saka’s social media page, telling the youngster to ‘go back to Nigeria’ as he is ‘not even from here’.
Saka was born in Ealing, England, to parents of Nigerian descent.
Despite being unhappy with Saka’s decision to play for the Three Lions over the Super Eagles, many Nigerians still consider the Arsenal forward one of their own.
And countless came to his defence on Twitter, dragging the fans who attacked the youngster.
One Ahmed wrote: “Nothing new……Racist Brits. All the blame should be on Kane, but they rather trash Saka. Saka and Rashford scored 3 goals each in Qatar. Kane has 2.”
Another user said: “England nuh deserve Saka, I wish he could somehow revoke his citizenship and go play for Nigeria fr, at least he has a better chance to win afcon than ever winning anything for England.”
One Twitter user: “Saka should go back to Nigeria? And who told you we will reject him? No we can’t ..may England never smell world cup for being so stupid and ungrateful…may God of Saka ur dragging in the mud for no reason keep disgracing you.”
Someone else tweeted: “Always sure to point you the road to your Father’s house when the die is cast. “Go back to Nigeria, ur not even from here”. Poor Saka.”
This is not the first time English fans will attack Bukayo Saka after a major international tournament.
Saka was subjected to severe racist attacks when he missed a crucial penalty for England against Italy in the final of Euro 2020. The Italians lifted the Cup.
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen scored, but a last-minute strike from Isaac Success ensured that… Read More
Former Super Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju has advised the Nigeria Football Federation against forcing assistants… Read More
Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre has begun her journey to recovery as the Nigerian national… Read More
Nigeria and Ajax Amsterdam striker, Chuba Amechi Akpom, is uncertain of his future with the… Read More
Super Eagles and Napoli striker, Victor James Osimhen, could receive up to 187 million naira… Read More
The nature of Finidi George’s contract situation with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has drawn… Read More
View Comments
What a bunch of idiots to blame Englands best player. They don´t deserve him those morons.
And an even bigger idiot is the writer of the headline and this piece, trying to make out that coz a couple of racist fools wrote derogatory comments, that is a reflection of England fans attitude in general. That is patently nonsense coz any normal and decent supporter of England realises Saka is one of our best players and indeed had a very good tournement
How many English fans abused him? You guys should write better content!
Even if it was one, just one and he goes unannounced, it's more than enough. Unbeknownst to many genuine and well cultured England fans, it is for this sort of trash that England always fall short. By now, more of England should have learned this lesson. It's a pity and a deep shame.
NDLEA (Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency) has said about 30 million 15-64 year olds abuse drugs... Oh, you're Nigerian... You must use drugs.
See how stupid it sounds?
We can't assume you take drugs because a lot of people in Nigeria do (about 1/7 of the nation). So do not tarnish English with Racism when it is a few bad apples. I bet it wasn't 1/7 of the English that were abusing Saka... So , while I will admit what I said about Nigerians must use drugs is stupid... Less stupid then accusing the English race of being racist due to a FEW tweets, no-where near 1/7 of the nation.
Saka, it is better 4 u to come back to Nigeria.... U will feel much welcomed and less abused....so that we will see if it is u always causing the England fans to bark........keep shining young star
Come back applies to someone from there. Saka was born in England. He 'comes back' to England where he got a decent education and the country that has allowed him to become richer than a LOT of white men. Don't you wish that you lived in such a great country? Thriving like many young men from foreign ancestry. Heck, even our Prime Minister has foreign ancestry. Our 'leader' is not white.
The UK isn't racist. It is one of the most diverse countries in the world. The real racism comes from you lot. The envious and jealous ignorant people.
who's this clown
Saka is the best player of the tournament
Saka should leave England national team because of their fans they can do anything
Leave sakaalone he is one of the BEST players,just ignore all the idiots saka its jealousy xx
Why is this even news? Anyway, bad news always sells and that says a lot about the mentality of people. I'm very sure majority of England fans appreciate and support the lad but you guys chose to focus on the few ignorant and racist twits who abused him. I hope you won't complain the day someone calls all Nigerians drug dealers and fraudsters because of the actions of an insignificant few.
Racism is inherent in the average Englishman. How can you blame players who scored 3 goals apiece, Saka and Rashford, and even created a penalty for your lead striker, harry kane, to miss the penalty and be silent on Harry kane who missed the penalty? That is the racist nature of the Englishman. A bunch of racists! I blame these blacks who always decide to play for them.