In Nigeria, they attack the goalkeeper who led the revolt against Israel: "Hypocrite"

Ireland national team goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who announced he would boycott matches against Israel in the Nations League, faced harsh criticism from users and accounts in Nigeria, his father's country of origin. The users accused him of hypocrisy and selective morality, questioning why he does not take a similar stance amid the wave of violence and terrorism in Nigeria, where tens of thousands have been killed.

Ireland national team goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu announced he would not participate in his team's matches against Israel in the Nations League, due to his opposition to harming innocent civilians. The decision sparked a storm on social media. While he received praise in Ireland, in the past day harsh criticism emerged from users and accounts identified with Nigeria, his father's country of origin. The users accused him of hypocrisy and selective morality, questioning why he does not take a similar stance amid the wave of violence and terrorism in Nigeria. Among the comments: "How many times have you posted about the killing of Christians in Nigeria?" and "Where was your protest when thousands were killed in the country your father comes from?" The criticism comes against the backdrop of the ongoing security crisis in Nigeria. According to data from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), tens of thousands have been killed in the country since 2009 in religious, ethnic, and terrorist violence. Groups such as Boko Haram, ISIS in West Africa, and other armed militias are responsible for much of the violence. Open Doors notes that Nigeria remains one of the deadliest countries for Christians.