The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Alex Iwobi

  • Nigeria Drops Moses, Mikel for Nations Cup Qualifiers, Invites Youssef

    Nigeria Drops Moses, Mikel for Nations Cup Qualifiers, Invites Youssef

    Nigeria have left out Chelsea star Victor Moses from their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa next month.

    Captain John Obi Mikel is also among the high-profile names missing in the squad list released by Super Eagles Coach, Genort Rohr for the match against South Africa.

    Moses is being omitted despite having a splendid season with Chelsea while Mikel is understood to still be recuperating from an injury setback that has forced him undergo surgery,

    Also conspicuously missing from the list of 23 players are the China-based duo of Odion Ighalo and Brown Ideye.

    MFM FC strike partners, Stephen Odey and Sikiru Olatunbosun, have also been overlooked as Rohr takes a gamble with a lot of fresh inclusion in his list.

    The Super Eagles host the Bafana Bafana at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo in their first AFCON 2019 qualifying match.

    The last time both sides met was also at the same venue, in a 2015 AFCON qualifier, which ended 2-2 and subsequently knocked Nigeria out of qualifying for the 2015 AFCON just two years after winning it.

    There is also another surprise regarding the list, as little-known Maroof Youssef, who plays for Zamalek in Egypt was included.

    The full list

    Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Dele Alampasu

    Defenders: Elderson Echiejile, Kenneth Omeruo, Tyrone Ebuehi, Chidozie Awaziem, Shehu Abdullahi, William Ekong and Maroof Youssef

    Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi, John Ogu, Oghenekaro Etebo, Alhassan Ibrahim, Mikel Agu and Wilfred Ndidi

    Attackers: Ahmed Musa, Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, Henry Onyekuru, Olanrewaju Kayode and Victor Osimhen.

  • Iwobi to entertain in China

    Iwobi to entertain in China

     

     

     

    Super Eagles forward Alex Iwobi and his Arsenal teammates are scheduled to entertain  their teeming fans in china come july 19 in a friendly with bundesliga side Bayern Munich

    Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis said of the Bayern match: “It will be very special for our Chinese fans to see a game of this stature.

    “We have a fantastic following in China and the two games we are playing there this summer will be an exciting part of our build up for the new season.”

    Bayern triumphed 10-2 over two legs against Arsenal in the Champions League last 16, and they will meet again in Shanghai as part of the International Champions Cup.

    The Gunners will face Chelsea at the Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing three days later, though that match will not form part of the ICC.

    The Chinese section of the ICC begins in Guangzhou with AC Milan taking on Borussia Dortmund on July 18.

    Three days after taking on Arsenal, Bayern will face Milan in Shenzhen before the competition concludes with Vincenzo  Montella’s side taking on arch-rivals Inter in Nanjing on July 24.

  • I have achieved beyond my expectations-Iwobi

    I have achieved beyond my expectations-Iwobi

    Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi is awed. At age twenty he has attained a feat most of his compatriots in Nigeria  are hoping for.

    In an interview with  www.arsenal.com, he stated: “I never thought I would be here at the age of 20,

    it’s an amazing feeling to have made more than 50 appearances for Arsenal,” Iwobi said. “It is

    just the start of my career basically, so I just need to get more goals, more assists and make

    more appearances and do my best for the team.

    Iwobi whose impact in Arsenal FC cannot be overlooked could not help but to

     mention two of his team  mates who have been a source of inspiration to him.

    He said: “The manager, Steve Bould, everyone – even the players – have all given me advice on

    what to do, helping me on and off the pitch. Everyone has helped get to where I am today.

    “[The biggest influence on me] would probably be Jack Wilshere, but he has not been around

    recently. He talks to me off the pitch because he has been through the same system as me, I

    just watch what he does – especially as I grew up as a No 10 and he’s a No 10.

    “Now I would say it is Francis Coquelin, he is always talking to me. After the Watford game he

    told me what I did well, and what I need to improve on. He’s definitely one who keeps me in check.”

  • Iwobi counts blessings of Wilshere’s support

    Iwobi counts blessings of Wilshere’s support

     

     

    In what could pass for giving honour to whom it is due, Super Eagles and Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi has singled out Jack Wilshere as a major contributor to what he has turned out to be at the Emirates

    Iwobi has developed into an important first-team member since making his debut in October 2015 and recently made his 50th appearance for the Gunners.

    He is determined to keep improving in the years to come and has thanked Wilshere for his role in his development so far.

    “The biggest influence on me would probably be Jack Wilshere, but he has not been around recently,” the 20-year-old told the Arsenal website.

    “He talks to me off the pitch because he has been through the same system as me. I just watch what he does, especially as I grew up as a number 10 and he’s a number 10.

    “Now I would say it is Francis Coquelin, he is always talking to me. After the Watford game he told me what I did well, and what I need to improve on. He is definitely one who keeps me in check.

    “I never thought I would be here at the age of 20, it is an amazing feeling to have made more than 50 appearances for Arsenal.

    “It is just the start of my career basically, so I just need to get more goals, more assists and make more appearances and do my best for the team.”

  • Iwobi enjoys gig with girlfriend

    Iwobi enjoys gig with girlfriend

     

     

    Nigeria international and his model girlfriend Clarisse Juliette were among fans at the  Rae Sremmurd gig on Wednesday night.

    The band famed for kicking off the Mannequin Challenge global phenomenon played to a sold-out O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

    The Dailymail reports that Juliette, is quickly becoming one of the more famous WAGs at Arsenal, posted a picture of the pair on her Instagram account showing Iwobi giving her an adoring gaze as their young love continues to flourish.
    Meanhwile, Alex relationship has been enjoying rapid rise since making his Premier League debut against Swansea in October 2015.

  • Iwobi shines in Arsenal goal feast

    Iwobi shines in Arsenal goal feast

    Super Eagles forward Alex Iwobi was a delight to watch Saturday as he contributed in no small measure to Arsenals 0-4 away demolition of Swansea. Iwobi who was in action for the entire duration of the match appeared to have a finger in every pie as his goal bound efforts were effectively deflected and sealed as own goals to the Gunners advantage.

    Of particular delight was his ball into the box that was sealed by former Tottenham full-back Kyle Naughton in the 67th minute. He had earlier in the 54th minute mounted pressure with his shot loop up off Jack Cork, over Fabianki and into the net to hand Gunners the third goal

    The opener in the 34th minute and the 73rd minutes goals were grabbed by Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez respectively.

    The Gunners had struggled during the early stages but two own goals – as well as strikes from Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez – ensured that they eased to three points at the Liberty Stadium.

    Swansea have conceded  plenty of goals this season and  appeared to begin the match with the intent of avoiding any early slip-ups and it took 14 minutes for either side to get a shot on goal.

    That chance fell to Gylfi Sigurdsson on the edge of the penalty area, but the Swansea playmaker was unable to keep his shot down from 20 yards.

  • Arsenal stop Iwobi from Glo-CAF award

    Arsenal stop Iwobi from Glo-CAF award

    Officials of English Premier League (EPL) side, Arsenal, have stopped Super Eagles attacking midfielder, Alex Iwobi, from attending Thursday’s Glo-CAF Player of the Year awards in Abuja because of club commitment.

    The 20-year-old is listed for the Young Player of the Year award alongside Eric Ayiah (Ghana) and Franck Kessie (Cote d’Ivoire).

    “Alex (Iwobi) is not coming for the CAF award tomorrow,” the player’s uncle, Emmanuel Okocha, told allnigeriasoccer.com.

  • ‘Iwobi will have big 2017’

    ‘Iwobi will have big 2017’

     
    Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin has tipped Alex Iwobi for a big 2017.

    According to tribalfootball.com, Coquelin said:  “Alex had his breakthrough season but this year he can confirm it even more,” he told Arsenal Player.

    “I really like the way he plays. He’s got technique and quick passing. The only thing he needs to add now is goals and he will be a complete player, but he’s a player I really like. 2017 can be his year.”

  • Iwobi, Iheanacho in race for CAF Awards

    Iwobi, Iheanacho in race for CAF Awards

    Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho of Manchester City are in the running for various CAF Awards.
    In the category of Most Promising Talent, Iheanacho is listed with fellow Nigerian Oghenekaro Etebo, Guinean Naby Keita, Elia Meshack of DR Congo and Ramadan Soby of Egypt.
    Iheanacho scored in four consecutive matches for the Super Eagles against Mali, Luxembourg, Tanzania and Zambia, and had been quite impressive for his English top tier club, for whom he scored in the UEFA Champions League last week.
    Etebo was the hero of Nigeria’s bronze medal feat at the Olympics in Brazil, scoring four goals in the 5-4 thumping of Japan.
    The Youth Player of the Year list was headed by Iwobi, who scored Nigeria’s first goal of the 2018 FIFA World Cup race, away to Zambia in Ndola in October. He contests with Ghanaians Eric Ayiah and Sandra Owusu-Ansah, Ivorian Franck Kessie and Mali U20 ace Sidiki Maiga.
    Super Falcons’ forward Asisat Oshoala was listed alongside South African Janine Van Wyk, Ghanaian Elizabeth Addo and Cameroonians Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene and Raissa Feudjio Tchuanyo for the Women’s Player of the Year.
    Oshoala won the award in 2014, alongside being named Youth Player of the Year.
    Cameroonian Gaelle Deborah Enganamouit was named Women’s Player of the Year 2015. Florence Omagbemi, the only person to have won the Women Africa Cup of Nations as captain and coach, contests for Coach of the Year with DR Congo’s Florent Ibenge, Uganda Coach Milutin Sredojevic, Nacer Sandjak of CAF Confederation Cup winners MO Bejaia and Pitso Mosimane of CAF Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns.
    Nigeria’s Super Falcons will battle for Women’s Team of the Year with Cameroon, Ghana, South Africa and Zimbabwe, while Nigeria’s U23 team, bronze winners at the Olympics, will tug with DR Congo (CHAN winners), Senegal, Guinea Bissau and Uganda (the last two for qualifying for 2017 AFCON). Guinea Bissau is making its debut, while Uganda is back among the elites of African football after 38 years.
    Sundowns, Bejaia, TP Mazembe, Zamalek and Zesco United compete for Club of the Year, while Gambian Papa Gassama, Egyptian Ghead Grisha and Senegalese Malang Diedhiou are in the race for Referee of the Year. Incidentally, Gassama handled the Nigeria/Algeria 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Uyo, while Grisha was in charge of the first qualifying match away to Zambia in Ndola.
    The awards ceremony is slated for January 5 in Abuja.

  • No time to waste for Alex Iwobi

    No time to waste for Alex Iwobi