17th June, 2015
Edwin Okon, coach of the Super Falcons has come under fierce criticism after his unprofessional attitude following his team’s 1-0 loss to the United States at the ongoing Womens World Cup in Canada.
An Abby Wambach volley seconds before half-time earned USA a 1-0 victory over Nigeria in Vancouver, sending the Americans through as Group D winners and Nigerians home.
After the game, Okon refused to shake hands with US coach Jill Ellis and immediately got a backlash from football fans across the globe especially Nigerians who were grossly disappointed by his action.
Reacting on Twitter, Omono wrote: “Edwin Okon did a very unprofessional and immature act of ignoring Jill Ellis’ handshake. That’s why Nigeria will never grow.”
Lolade Adewuyi, Goal.com Nigeria editor was more critical of Okon’s action. “This coach Edwin Okon really fooled himself in front of the whole world. @thenff must learn not to employ misfits,” he wrote, adding that, “Edwin Okon, in typical #NGA fashion, blames the loss to #USA on the referee. Piss poor attitude.”
Why is this uncivilised Edwin Okon disgracing Nigeria this much? Refused to shake hands with U.S Coach. "No handshake", he told her.
— Castano Yemi Dada (@YemiCastano) June 17, 2015
Oooh, that was rude. Nigeria's coach Edwin Okon has been a character, but to refuse Jill Ellis' handshake there was sour. #WWC2015
— Andrea Canales (@soccercanales) June 17, 2015
If there's any positives from this Loss, it's that Edwin Okon would no longer give @FIFAcom interviews that embarrass us..
— IG: TheRealAdonye (@TheRealAdonye) June 17, 2015
Another coaching handshake snub… Classy, Edwin Okon.
— LeanderAlphabet (@LeanderAlphabet) June 17, 2015
Enough of this experimentation with some of our local coaches, I think this should be the end of Edwin Okon.
— Ugochukwu Philip, I. (@Ugothings) June 17, 2015
Nigeria's got classy irresolute personality in Edwin Okon.
— CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND (@SammyOtiono) June 17, 2015