'He has been heartbroken' - Ex-Chelsea star says it was terrible decision to send off Iwobi vs Tunisia

Published: January 25, 2022

Nigeria, the only country with a hundred percent win record in the group stage, were surprisingly knocked out of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday following a 1-0 defeat suffered at the hands of Tunisia.

Installed as favourites to win their fourth African title after the group stage, the Super Eagles could not scale the round of sixteen hurdle.

One of the talking points from the game was the red card handed to Super Eagles attacking midfielder Alex Iwobi for a heavy challenge on Tunisia match-winner Youssef Msakni in the 66th minute, shortly after he came off the bench to replace Kelechi Iheanacho.

Former Chelsea center back Kenneth Omeruo has insisted that Iwobi's action was not worthy of a dismissal, adding that the Everton man was devastated by the red card he was shown and the country's exit from the tournament.

Speaking to Planet Sport Football Africa, Omeruo said : "I feel for him, it's never a red card, the decision was made which was a very terrible decision especially for him who is one of our best players .

"To be sent off, he has been heartbroken since yesterday and for me it wasn't a red card decision because he had the ball."

Iwobi will not be available for selection when Nigeria face off with West African rivals Ghana in the 2022 World Cup playoff.

Igho Kingsley

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