Social media users on X (formerly Twitter) are continuing to poke fun at Nigeria after they lost their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final match to host country Côte d’Ivoire. This time, Nigerian soccer player Victor Osimhen has unintentionally become the butt of the joke.
Known as the Super Eagles, Nigeria lost 2-1 on Sunday, 11 February. During his matches throughout AFCON, the striker was seen wearing a mask on the field.
According to the publication The Sporting News, Victor suffered multiple facial fractures during a match with Slovak footballer Milan Skriniar in November 2021. The surgeon who oversaw Victor’s operation shared that three plates and six screws were needed to carry out the procedure.
Victor told Wazobia FM, via Football Italia that the clash was a “near-death injury.”
However, Victor’s personal experience has not stopped the internet from what they do best – troll.
Many have compared the masked player to professional wrestler Rey Mysterio, who is known for always wearing a mask in the ring. Others have also likened Victor to the fictional sword-wielding vigilante Zorro, and, of course, the DC Comics superhero Batman.
See what X users had to say below.
Rey mysterio is that youuu??????????? pic.twitter.com/gKJi6eSQhu
— NE♈️?️ ♍️!ND ?????? (@KvngBron) February 11, 2024
Mask of Zorro >>>>>> Mask of Sorrow pic.twitter.com/567ZIHHVLq
— Julian (@mr_julz) February 12, 2024
Batman of the tournament ??
— Nqobile Mahungu???? (@nqobile_mahungu) February 12, 2024
Victor Osimhen has a new nickname.
The Nigerian striker has been nicknamed Rey Mysterio after an underwhelming AFCON campaign.
Osimhen scored only one goal during the tournament. pic.twitter.com/oe1iU7qMIr— NewsHub (@NewsHub2023) February 12, 2024
No Grammy
No light
No AfconNigerians only have the unmasked Rey mysterio. pic.twitter.com/xiAj4Rlls5
— Nard⚡️ (@naardpotter) February 12, 2024
Rey Mysterio somewhere wondering why he is trending on Twitter ? pic.twitter.com/NFoMXaR9kR
— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) February 12, 2024
Also see: ‘No AFCON, no Grammy’ – South Africans troll Nigerians on social media
