Tag: Alex Iwobi

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AFCON 2025: Alex Iwobi’s Father, Chuba Opens Up On Jay-Jay Okocha’s Influence On Son

Chuba Iwobi, father of Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi, has highlighted the significant influence Nigerian football legend Jay-Jay Okocha has had on his son’s career.

Okocha, a former Super Eagles player, is the uncle of Alex.

In an interview with Molatsportsgist, Chuba shared how Okocha has consistently inspired his nephew, Alex.

“Uncle Jay-Jay has been an inspiration to Alex. When he was at the Arsenal academy, we often visited Bolton to watch Jay-Jay play,” Chuba explained.

“Alex has his own playing style, but he is also influenced by the skills and the technical ability of his uncle, and Jay-Jay has always been there for him.”

Okocha, who last played his club football at English side Hull City, retired from professional football in 2008.

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WCQ Playoff: ‘You Won’t Do That If I Were Captain’ – Obi Mikel Slams Iwobi Over Controversial Video

Former Chelsea defensive midfielder John Obi Mikel has criticized Fulham’s Alex Iwobi over a controversial video he posted ahead of Nigeria’s 4-1 victory against Gabon.

Iwobi’s video showed the state of the Super Eagles’ hotel in Morocco ahead of the World Cup playoff fixtures.

Ahead of the games against Gabon and DR Congo, the Super Eagles were lodged at Rive Hotel in Rabat.

Iwobi’s silent video stirred reactions online, with Nigerians questioning the preparedness of the Nigeria Football Federation for the game.

The Arsenal youth product later clarified that he had no intention of criticising the hotel or the football authorities.

But speaking on the Obi One Podcast, Mikel, who captained the Super Eagles during his active days, said: “Again, Alex Iwobi, that picture, maybe it was taken innocently and him posting it up.

“But again, as a player playing in Europe, living in a nice accommodation, you should have known better, two days before the game.

“Don’t put that up. I read the comments; you don’t want that negativity, you don’t want that around two days before the playoff games.

“If I was the captain, I would tell him to take that down straight away. Take it off your Instagram, take it down, we don’t need that.”

Nigeria defeated Gabon 4-1 in extra time of the semi-final playoffs, while DR Congo beat Cameroon in the other tie.

The Super Eagles went on to lose to DR Congo in the final playoff match on Sunday night.

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EPL: Iwobi Becomes First Nigerian Player To Make 300 Appearances

Alex Iwobi, the Fulham midfielder, has made history as the first Nigerian footballer to reach 300 appearances in the Premier League.

Iwobi hit the milestone when he featured against Newcastle United at St James Park on Saturday.

The 29-year-old made his debut in the English top-flight against Swansea City in October 2015. At the time, he was on the books of Arsenal.

Iwobi played 100 league games for the Gunners, 123 matches for Everton and 77 now for Fulham.

Across his 299 Premier League outings, Iwobi has contributed 69 goal involvements, comprising 32 goals and 37 assists.

Iwobi is also just the fifth African player to reach the milestone.

The Super Eagles playmaker is only behind Kolo Toure (353), Mohamed Salah (309), Wilfried Zaha (305) and Jordan Ayew (305).

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AFCON: Why Ola Aina Struggled Against Ivory Coast’s Adingra In Final – Iwobi Opens Up

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has explained why his teammate Ola Aina found it difficult to contain Ivory Coast’s Simon Adingra in the final of the last Africa Cup of Nations.

On February 11, 2024, Aina, who had been one of the AFCON’s most consistent performers, had a difficult moment playing against Adingra.

The Nottingham Forest defender failed to keep out Adingra as the winger provided the assist for both goals as the Ivory Coast overturned a deficit to beat Nigeria 2-1 in the final.

However, Iwobi has now revealed that Aina’s poor display in the AFCON final was because of an injury.

“For those that don’t know, I am sure Ola has already put it out there in many different podcasts and interviews,” Iwobi said on Episode 2 of The Bassey and Iwobi Show.

“He played with a grade 2c hamstring injury — I don’t know how.”

Meanwhile, Nigeria has already qualified for the 2025 AFCON taking place in Morocco and will hope to win it this time around.

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Nigerians Are Loud, You Can Smell Us From Miles Away – Super Eagles Star, Alex Iwobi

Alex Iwobi, the Fulham and Super Eagles midfielder, has revealed what he loves about being a Nigerian.

The former Arsenal star said Nigerians have unique mannerisms which make them stand out.

He added that Nigerians are “so loud,” especially the Yorubas.

Iwobi stated this in a recent interview with Kiss Fresh, London, United Kingdom.

The host asked, “What do you love about Nigerians and being Nigerian?”

Iwobi replied, “You can smell a Nigerian from a mile away. Our mannerisms are so Nigerian, especially Yoruba people. Yoruba people are so loud.

“My favourite thing about the country is that everyone is so welcoming, rich in hospitality and it’s like one big family. Everyone who is doing well tries to give back to their communities. Every footballer that I am with always try to give back to where they come from. That’s an amazing thing.

“The first thing I do whenever I land in Nigeria and I’m in my hotel room, I order pounded yam and egusi.”

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Iwobi Replies To AFCON Criticism On Instagram

After leaving Instagram owing to abuse, Super Eagles player Alex Iwobi has returned.

Remember that Iwobi removed every post he had made after receiving negative feedback on his performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations?

The 27-year-old received taunts from supporters after the Super Eagles lost to the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 in the championship game.

However, the Nigeria Football Federation, Sports Ministry, and the Fulham star offered their backing.

Iwobi has now posted a video to Instagram that shows off his recent activities for his fans and followers.

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Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi are named to the Premier League Team of the Week.

Following matchday 26, two Super Eagles players—Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi—were named to the Premier League squad of the week.

Recall that after assisting the Super Eagles of Nigeria in making it to the tournament’s final, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey named 2023 AFCON stars.

At Old Trafford, Fulham shocked Manchester United with a 2-1 victory.

In the Premier League match, Harry Maguire scored the equalizer after Bassey had opened the scoring. Iwobi scored the game’s winning goal in the final minute, giving Fulham a 2-1 victory.

They were named in Whoscored.com’s Premier League Team of the Week together with Phil Foden of Manchester City, Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno, and Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka as a result of their performance.

Calvin Bassey was also included in BBC football analyst Garth Crooks’ squad of the week following the Nigerian international’s superb performance against Manchester United.

Among Crooks were one player each from West Ham United, Crystal Palace, and Fulham. Each of Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa sent two players to the team.

The commentator stated, “This was an impressive team performance by the Cottagers with Bassey and Tosin Adarabioyo back in the starting line-up and could have played this match in stocking feet,” as an explanation of why he included Bassey in his team of the week.

“The goal by Nigerian international Bassey was a fitting cap to an outstanding individual display.”

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Wizkid Showed Me Love When I Was Nobody – Alex Iwobi Reveals

Alex Iwobi, the Fulham midfielder, has said popular singer, Wizkid showed him “love” when he was still scratching the surface of his career.

The former Arsenal star said Wizkid was “nice” to him when they first met “even though he didn’t know who I was at the time.”

Speaking in a recent interview with Oma Sports TV, Iwobi said Wizkid’s concert at Tottenham stadium earlier this year “is my favourite Nigerian show, I really enjoyed myself.”

He described Wizkid as a “nice and very humble guy.”

The Super Eagles midfield maestro said, “Wizkid’s show at Tottenham stadium is my favorite Nigerian show, I really enjoyed myself. I didn’t get to meet him that day. But I’ve met him previous times and he’s a very nice and very humble guy.

“The first time I met him, he showed me love when he first met me even though he didn’t know who I was at the time. I’ve seen him in stores and even in the club as well, and he has always showed me so much love. He is someone that I really respect.”

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