Lead pastor of Zoe Household Global, Dolapo Lawal, has publicly apologized after facing backlash over viral comments he made about Arsenal FC and its supporters before the club’s historic Premier League triumph.
The cleric came under heavy criticism after an old video resurfaced online in which he insisted Arsenal would never win the league title and even described the club as “cursed.”
Following Arsenal’s eventual title success, social media users widely circulated the clip, mocking the prediction and criticizing the pastor’s remarks.
Reacting after Arsenal’s recent victory, Pastor Lawal took to Instagram on Tuesday to apologize to anyone offended by his earlier comments.
“Congratulations Arsenal. For anyone that was provoked by my prior banter, accept my apology,” he wrote.
The pastor also jokingly reversed one of his earlier controversial statements about Arsenal supporters.
“Ladies, please date Arsenal guys oo. Date the winners,” he added.
In another follow-up video shared on Wednesday, Dolapo Lawal announced a special thanksgiving service dedicated to Arsenal fans.
“Arsenal fans, special thanksgiving service for you on Sunday. Come with your jersey. We are going to thank God for you people. This is my public apology,” he said.
Before the apology, the pastor had confidently declared that Arsenal could never become champions regardless of their points advantage.
“Arsenal cannot win it. I said it three months ago that even if the gap is 29 points, Arsenal cannot win it,” he had stated.
“There is a way you will watch a club, you do not need a prophecy to know that it is cursed.”
He also previously advised women against dating Arsenal supporters, which triggered widespread online reactions.
The remarks drew criticism from some social media users who argued that religious leaders should avoid divisive football-related statements from the pulpit.
Others, however, viewed the comments as harmless football banter that was never meant to be taken seriously.
After Arsenal sealed their first Premier League title in 22 years under manager Mikel Arteta, the pastor’s earlier prediction quickly became one of the most-discussed football-related moments online in Nigeria.
