The lead pastor of Zoe Household Global Church, Pastor Dolapo Lawal, has come under intense criticism after a viral sermon in which he declared that Arsenal F.C. were “cursed” and incapable of winning the Premier League title even if they opened a 29-point lead.

The controversy erupted after Arsenal secured the league title following Manchester City F.C.’s 1-1 draw with AFC Bournemouth on Tuesday night ahead of Sunday final round of matches.

In the now-viral sermon, the pastor confidently dismissed Arsenal’s chances of becoming champions.

“Arsenal cannot win. Didn’t I say it? You were here when I said it three months ago that even if the gap is 29 points, Arsenal cannot win.

“There is a way you will watch a club, you don’t need prophecy, they are cursed”, he said.

He further stirred reactions after extending his criticism to relationships.

“And peradventure you are here, a lady, if an Arsenal fan should ask you out, it’s a bad sign. You need to check yourself that of all people, Arsenal?”

The comments quickly resurfaced online after Arsenal’s triumph, triggering a flood of backlash, mockery and criticism from football fans across social media.

Popular media personality Nedu Wazobia mocked the cleric over the failed ‘prediction’.

“No be league we win now? I wonder the eye wey you go take look your members on Sunday. If no be say you be man of God, mtcheew,” he wrote.

Waheed Habeeb also taunted the pastor, saying Arsenal supporters would flood the church in jerseys on Sunday for thanksgiving.

“This pastor will regret this statement this Sunday. His church will be filled with Arsenal jerseys. I trust us Arsenal fans.”

Don Best Ndubuisi wrote: “On Sunday make everybody wear Arsenal jersey go him church.”

Francis Chuckwu added: “Thanksgiving will be in your church coming Sunday, 10am prompt.”

On his part, Felix Aondosoo linked the backlash to online football banter culture.

“E bad say na Nedu start this revenge mission. Omo, this pastor own don finish walahi,” he wrote.

Charles Ehimhen criticised the use of football banter during a sermon.

“Banter on the pulpit in the house of God. Bros, na raining season we dey. The kind thunder wey go locate you eehn!”

Dogara Samuel accused the pastor of trying to pass off football opinions as prophecy.

“If Arsenal had bottled it, he will say, ‘Didn’t I say it? The Lord told me they cannot win.’ Now it backfired and it’s banter.”

Azeez Akorede questioned the wisdom of attacking such a globally supported club.

“Did this pastor know that Dangote, Fashola, Dino and others are Arsenal fans? If they ask him out, won’t he go?”

Enny Timmy also expressed disappointment.

“I no know wetin concern pastors with football. I respect that man pass all this.”

Adebayo Samuel questioned the spiritual relevance of the comments.

“How does this relate with the word of God?”

Uche Micheal similarly argued that the pastor would have claimed divine revelation if Arsenal had failed.

“Assuming the joke entered, it will suddenly become prophecy. We will be hearing, ‘He said so.’”

Following the heavy criticism from Arsenal supporters globally, Pastor Lawal later released another video insisting his earlier remarks were only jokes and not prophecy.

“I was joking. I am not cursing Arsenal and God didn’t tell me something about Arsenal. It was just normal banter that I make with Arsenal fans in my church,” he said.

To calm tensions, the pastor reportedly organised a special thanksgiving service for Arsenal fans in his church and encouraged women to consider dating Arsenal supporters.

But the apology appeared to come too late, as many online users intensified their criticism, accusing him of trivialising spiritual authority.

Among them was Apostle Henry Oburu, who wrote: “Joking on what you said is a prophecy.” (Daily Trust)