Egonu’s experience is symptomatic of Italian sport’s deeper problem with racism. In football, the nation’s most followed sport, Mario Balotelli, Romelu Lukaku, and Victor Osimhen have all been subjected to racist abuse – the latter after his own club’s social media channel appeared to mock him. Racism in Italian sport is deeply interconnected with the nation’s media, and the framing of Egonu as a ‘diva’ is a damning indictment of its current condition.
Having become one of Italian sport’s leading spokespeople, it is a perplexing twist of fate that Egonu now has to prove herself on the court. She was not included in Italy’s squad this September, sidelining her from the nation’s attempts to reach next summer’s Olympics. The decision followed a summer where the relationship between Egonu and coach Mazzanti had been frayed, with Egonu left on the bench during a disastrous European Championships campaign.
And so, amid the success, it seems inconceivable that her career has been marred by a battle to be appreciated. Egonu was born in Cittadella but, as the daughter of Nigerian migrants, has previously spoken about being singled out at school, facing racist abuse from teachers before being given Italian citizenship at 14. In 2016, she was subject to racist abuse during a match in Treviso. The exhaustion of having her Afro-Italian identity scrutinised finally took its toll in 2022, when Egonu stepped back from the Italian national team just after the World Championships. She left Italy altogether the next season, joining VafikBank to heal from the trauma of what she had faced.
It is testament to Egonu’s strength of character that she has used her rising fame to challenge these issues. Last February, Egonu denounced Italy as “un paese razzista” and has admitted being hurt by criticism from Italian media. Breaking new ground comes naturally to Egonu, as she hopes to forge a pathway for the next generation of black female athletes by fighting racism and gender inequality.
The subsequent departure of Mazzanti, however, leaves the door open for Egonu’s return. Now she is back in Italy playing for Vero Volley Milano and her experience will be vital in a young team looking to be competitive. At just 24, Egonu’s achievements have been remarkable, challenging the status-quo of Italian society and creating a legacy both on and off the pitch. If Egonu does return to the national set-up, however, Italy must show her the respect and appreciation she deserves.