We need to talk about Alex Iwobi

This perspective is actually very true, and we actually seem to have forgotten he stuck around through the toxicity after loses and the difficult moments. A mature character no doubt

100% he could have so easily left the team

Hope we win this AFCON, would mean a lot to so many of these players as well

I never even looked at it from this perspective. You ain't never lied. Thanks for this, Ali

🙏

Alex is criminally uderrated and unappreciated by we Nigerians

And by everyone else!

One fact you mentioned that I can't dispute is that he was the first person to make that move at a tender age to play for Nigeria. I am an Arsenal fan through and through, and I am also from East London. I knew Iwobi way back before he made his senior debut for Arsenal and when he eventually did and decided to play for the Super Eagles I was surprised. There is still a handful of talented Arsenal academy players of Nigerian descent and I won't mind if they want to play for Nigeria. What we really don't want is when some of them see Nigeria as fall fallback option when they can't make it with the three lions. Iwobi I have to say has done really well playing as a number 10 at this Afcon than he has ever done before. I am hoping he will replicate this performance against Morocco in the semi-final. Overall the whole team has impressed me with the way they have covered and fought for each other on the pitch. The defence has been well marshalled by Calvin and Semi, they have done a tremendous job so far shielding the goalkeeper so much that no team has had a 1-on-1 chance with him.

Love to hear it man and I agree with you about not wanting to see Nigeria as a second choice. But also that’s on the NFF. They are the ones that should be recruiting these guys at 15/16/17 like Morocco and Senegal do. It’s their job to make Nigeria the first choice

One of the biggest problems that Nigerian football has faced for many years is an organisational problem. We don't often have people who have in-depth football organisation knowledge managing our football. The talent has always been there at home and scattered around the world. I read recently that Morocco has a scouts around Europe monitoring and making overtures to players who are connected to them to play for their national team. They have always invested heavily in infrastructure and you can see the results. From female football to U17, U20 and other competitions they are ruling Africa in recent times and making a big impression at the world stage. They are desperate for this Afcon title to cap it all and that is more reason to be a tough game between them on Wednesday. If I were in NFF right now before the end of this tournament I would be asking Iwobi and Calvin to speak and show Ethan Iwaneri how lovely and beautiful to play for the Super Eagles and how important and great Afcon is. There is no better time than now to move for him, he is talented and seems to be going through a rough patch with Arsenal right now not having enough play time. Blend all of these players with homegrown players and we will likely rule the world of football soon.

Every single words you said were intentionally and positively well aligned I have been trying to explain these to some locals for some time now I guess anytime I want to speak I’ll just start by playing this video haha

😂😂😂thanks brother

You just earned a follow. You are so spot on with all your takes an it’s incredible how you understand this Nigerian team better than most Nigerians and you explained the reason why they didn’t qualify so well. Kudos to Iwobi for constantly stepping up, being reliable and also adding his funny side with a touch of leadership to add to it

🙏

@handyOdds Are you Nigerian?

@handyOdds Not at all😂 just an admirer

Was here when Ighalo was bullied out of the team. was here through all the dark tides of the corona games and the irresponsibilities of the Federation. never threw up a fuss...always turning up for the national team. When he puts on that shirt, he becomes a magician. Respect!

His commitment is special

Honestly having those teammates that take the edge is so important, I never realized that until recently!😂 The fun guys😂😂

So important!

When Declan Rice turn pundit

😂😂😂

🤣🤣🤣🤣 nice one bro

Well said, Ali. They are such a likeable team. That Bassey-Chikuweze banter made them so relatable. I’m actually rooting for them because I genuinely think they are the best team at this tournament.

I actually love those guys and their videos 😂

Interesting take, but you are not entirely correct that Iwobi started this diaspora player influx. We can go all the way back to the 80s to Tunji Banjo. However, I will stick to more recent years. Victor Anichebe came in and started as a teenager right from the Olympic team in 2008, playing qualifiers and winning bronze in Beijing. His career was only truncated by injury. Before him, there was Osaze Odemwingie, who we could say was the actual diaspora leader, and of course, there was George Abbey, who like Iwobi, was born in Nigeria but raised in the UK and played at Afcon 2004. Danny Shittu, Dickson Etuhu, etc all in the mix Iwobi happened to come at a time when the door was already open, with the likes of Hope Akpan actually making the switch a year or so before Iwobi. Also, there was Carl Ikeme, who also made his Nigeria debut about a month or so before Iwobi but sadly had to retire early. Alex just happens to be the one who has lasted the longest and made the most appearances and loads of credit to him for that, but if we are to point to a modern day diaspora pioneer, that would be Odemwingie

The best players of the national team also include Bruno (injured), Ndidi, Onyeka, Adams Osayi,

They have all been great but to say they are the best alongside Iwobi, Lookman and Bassey is a bit disingenuous

Even Adams?

@ahoworth97 Not better than hem

@Amarutweet @ahoworth97 How many of them did you see here?

Who are you? Remove your mask, you’re a Nigerian

😂😂😂

The incompetence from the Federation has been going since 1996; documented. mind boggling !

Alex was actually born in Nigeria then they move to Germany i think before going to England.

That is true but in a footballing sense he is a part of the diaspora crew

No truer words have ever been spoken. You just gained a follower Ali.

Thanks brother 🙏

Our fullbacks are the best honestly. Osayi and Bruno

Bright was so suspect against Tunisia but here he stepped up!

We need to talk about this man

You’ve done your research and it clearly shows in your informed takes.

I love his new role. Deep line playmaker. He sees everything happening in front of him and takes the best option with quick thinking. Also, he doesn’t fail to put in a great shift in defense too

Alex Iwobi has always been pure class for Nigeria but the nepo baby allegations of being okacha’s nephew has seen a lot of Nigerians trying to under appreciate his talent and scapegoat him. Good to see the world now waking up to this diamond in the rough of a player.

It’s mikel ,iwobi Then okocha …, Iwobi is more relevant as a team player than jay jay and that makes him a legend.Jay can dribble but what the actual fvk has that done for US. Alex is our iniesta. Pity he met lampard late in his career .

He is criminally underrated I wish we get to see him at the World Cup

Man we all do

This is the first time I'm coming across your page and I love 💕 it. You got a new follower

Alex Iwobi is like fine wine, he gets better with age

You deserve a follow for this. This is the first time I'm coming across your content on Twitter X. This is Apt.

🙏

Ali how can I follow you twice please. It’s easy to watch football but having this deep knowledge and understanding is not cheap work. I don’t think anyone ever seen things this deep. Thank you 👊

😂😂 thanks brother 🙏

Your knowledge on Nigerian football on and off the pitch is amazing! Nice analysis

Well said. Also to mention that he has been consistent through the years, even when he was being bullied online by shortsighted Nigerians. He has silenced his naysayers and earned his place ; the powerhouse of the team.

The king of pre assist

@Millionair_CEO Facts!

@WATLegal Thank you for telling the truth...Alex Iwobi and the team have done so well irregardless of all situations, monetary and otherwise

@emmaikumeh Wait a minute! “JJ Okocha is not as good as Messi and Ronaldo” Please don’t make Amadioha and Sango join forces to strike that thing on your face call mouth to pieces. I beg you!

@emmaikumeh 😂😂😂

@emmaikumeh 😆😆😆

I couldn't agree more, Ali. Thanks for sharing 👌

🙏

No lies detected.

Iwobi paid for that sacrifice with his position at Arsenal. He became less revered as an Academy standout and idol the moment he decided to don the Nigerian jersey. His importance in the Arsenal team dwindled. That’s why you see the likes of Saka opted for England at the end.