Popular Instagram influencer Amel Akhatar has shared that she regrets dating Nigerian International footballer Semi Ajayi after suggesting she endured “emotional abuse” during their involvement. 

Earlier this week Akhatar took to social media to expose “a Nigerian footballer” in a series of posts that began with her pre-date selfie alongside the words:

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  “Got ready for a Nigerian footballer who said he seemed serious about me”.

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Football fans and Akhatar's more than 40,000 followers came together to identify former West Bromwich Albion defender Ayaji as the Nigerian footballer in hot water. Her follow up photo showed a bouquet of flowers laid next to scissors alongside the words:

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“He talked about marriage.

Kids. A future. We even planned more dates...”

The pair apparently dated briefly before Akhatar took to social media to accuse the 31-year-old of ghosting her after discussing the possibility of a serious future together. After the alleged love bombing, Akhatar stated:

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“Then he disappeared for a week... and this is what I got after chasing silence”…

English-born Ajayi seemed to take some responsibility for his disappearance in a DM to her that read:

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“My bad I should have dropped you a message to let you know I was gonna be busy but I was always gonna get back to you.”

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He added:

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“Wyd [What You Doing] today?”

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In another screenshot Akhatar shared of their WhatsApp chat, Ajayi, who was with the Nigerian National team at the Unity Cup and a friendly match against Russia, used the national team duty as an excuse for ghosting her. However, Akhatar then added that during Ajayi’s “busy” disappearance he “was posting stories, active on socials” and “just not replying to” her. At first it appeared she had concluded the whole ordeal, with a very “final” post that read:

“A man who really wants you will NEVER risk losing you.

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Let silence be the answer.”

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Ajayi has not made any public statement regarding the matter and his silence has also served as a confirmation to many social media observers. After seemingly closing that chapter, on Sunday Akhatar opened the floor for her thousands of followers to “ask [her] a question” and questions quickly turned to the inflated romance. The first question she answered was:

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“Do you regret getting involved with him?”

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Akhatar responded:

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“Yh I was approached by him and I should have never responded.”

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The wounded creator went on to confirm that Ajayi, whose full name is Oluwasemilogo Adesewo Ibidapo Ajayi, was the first Nigerian she had ever been with. She added:

“he was charming and respectful at first till things went left and [I don’t care] anymore”.

Akhatar then followed up with a response to a question that suggested Akhatar's experience with the former Arsenal sub was “emotional abuse” when thanking her for speaking out about the topic. Akhatar replied:

“I'm just real and women don't speak up plus we live in a day age this is normalised which causes mental health issues because when it's constantly a cycle (being vulnerable to so many men you can't count and opening your heart out) your body and mind can't take it no more! They are sucking your energy when communication and respect keeps a woman's mind at peace.”

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Whilst we’ve only heard her side of the story, it does appear that this “Nigerian footballer” that Khatari has never formally identified as Ajayi, may be her “first” and her last.