Legendary French football player Thierry Henry has clarified remarks he made regarding a pair of Nigerian Super Eagles shorts worn by well-known American streamer IShowSpeed during the United States’ opening game against Paraguay.
Henry was a pundit at the Los Angeles Stadium when the incident happened during the United States’ 4-1 victory against Paraguay.
During the broadcast, IShowSpeed appeared wearing Nigerian Super Eagles shorts underneath a USA jersey, prompting Henry to jokingly describe the outfit as “bad luck.” Coincidentally, the remark came moments after Paraguay pulled a goal back to reduce the deficit from 3-0.
Many supporters interpreted the comment as disrespectful to Nigeria and the Super Eagles, triggering widespread criticism across social media platforms.
Following the backlash, the former Arsenal and Barcelona forward explained that the statement was intended as a light-hearted joke and was never meant as an insult to Nigeria, its national team or its supporters.
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“I don’t think people understand when a joke is a joke. IShowSpeed had the shorts of Nigeria and the top of the US. I just told him it was bad luck to break the set. It could have been the shorts of France, Italy or Spain, I would have said the same thing.
“I was just having a little joke, not that Nigeria is bad luck, and I even said I love Naija. I have mad respect for Nigeria and the people there, and a lot of Arsenal fans.
“Don’t misunderstand stuff. Nigeria is never bad luck,” Henry concluded.
Nigeria’s designated ambassador to Mexico, Reno Omokri, responded when artist Davido referred to him as “Bingo”.
Reno had blamed the ongoing World Cup for the postponement of his return to Mexico.
Reacting to Reno’s claim, Davido in a now-trending post on social media, knocked the ex-presidential aide. “Umu Bingo @renoomokri fowl,” the singer posted.
In response, Reno, who described Davido’s post as feedback, also tagged it as most shocking.
Sharing screenshots of Davido’s insult on his Instagram page on Tuesday, Reno said the singer was angry because he faulted him for wearing a customised jacket bearing the abducted Oyo school children’s names to perform at the World Cup.
