Biased commentary leaves Nigerian fans seething with rage
By NAIROBI NEWS REPORTERNigerian fans at the ongoing Fifa World Cup tournament were a disappointed lot not just by the defeat to Argentina but also the statements of the match commentators.
The main commentator used phrases that showed open bias, at least according to viewers who were rooting for the Super Eagles.
At some point, the commentator said it would be unthinkable for Argentina to crash out of the world cup at the group stages.
He also referred to the Nigerian side as “Africans”, “African goal”, among others.
He did not refer to Argentina side as South or Latin Americans.
The commentator also sounded more eager to have Argentina progress to the round of 16.
Eventually, the Latin Americans carried the day after winning 2-1. Croatia, who beat Iceland 2-1, also progressed as the group leaders.
Below are a few comments from disgruntled Nigerian fans:
We played against the commentator, the referee and Argentina.
3 in 1?????
— Kemi Ariyo (@d_problemsolver) June 26, 2018
FOOOOOOOOTTTTBALL.
FIFA should train commentators not to be RACISTS. They keeo on referring to Nigerians or Moroccans as the Africans but not to Spaniards or English as the Europeans or Argentinians as the Latin Americans. Africans have Distinct national identities.— Timothy Njoya (@timothynjoya) June 26, 2018
I can’t wait to look down from heaven and see that commentator and referee in hell begging for a drop of water.
RUBBISH.— Emy (@EmyUdofia) June 26, 2018
Lakini what do these commentators have against Nigeria?
— Larry Asego (@LarryAsego) June 26, 2018
The referee and the commentator couldn’t even hide their bias! Disappointed we didn’t make it through, but proud of the boys.#WorldCup #ARGNGA
— Uche Onwuemeli (@UchennaNG) June 26, 2018
The commentators are genuinely against Nigeria.
— Lydia Dinga (@lydiadinga) June 26, 2018