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Tag: Iwobi

  • Iwobi had a great AFCON tournament, says Odumodublvck

    Iwobi had a great AFCON tournament, says Odumodublvck

    Popular rapper, Odumodublvck, whose real name is Tochukwu Ojogwu has thrown his weight behind Super Eagles playerm Alex Iwobi amid harsh criticisms from Nigerians over the 2023 AFCON championship loss.

    Following Nigeria’s 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final at Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Sunday, the 27-year-old came under intense backlash.

    Despite the criticism, Odumodublvck praised Iwobi’s performance and said that he had a fantastic tournament on his Twitter page.

    He praised the squad for bringing the nation to a level that many did not anticipate and voiced hope that the Super Eagles will make a comeback.

    Read Also: Odumodublvck defends Pastor Adeboye amid backlash from netizens

    Odumodublvck tweeted: “Iwobi had a great tournament. The whole team took us to where we never imagined. We will be back.”

  • SWAN condemns cyber-bullying tendencies against Iwobi, others

    SWAN condemns cyber-bullying tendencies against Iwobi, others

    The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has condemned in totality any form of cyber-bullying acts against some members of the Super Eagles following the outcome of the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations.

    Shortly after the final of the 34th edition of AFCON, the social media space was filled with various forms of ridicule aimed particularly at midfielder Alex Iwobi and some other members of Nigeria’s senior national team.

    While reacting to the development, the president of SWAN, Isaiah Benjamin, in a statement on Tuesday, February 13, through the association’s secretary-general, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, said despite losing at the final of the tournament, Super Eagles made Nigerians proud in Cote d’Ivoire.

    He said: “As a professional body, we totally condemn this trend of cyberbullying acts with unsavoury comments targeted at some players or members of the Super Eagles.

    “Such an approach doesn’t speak well of us. We are aware that we are a football-loving nation, but we must act and be seen as those who value each other no matter the situation.

    “Generally speaking, the Nigerian team did well at the tournament against the expectation of many of us. So, let us be cautious with our comments.

    “Also, let us not forget that football is a team game and there is no need whatsoever singling out any player or official for any form of attack.”

    Meanwhile, SWAN has enjoined the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to work towards improving the capacity of the Super Eagles and other national teams as a way of building on the gains of the just concluded AFCON.

    SWAN president, who commended the NFF hierarchy for its determination in advancing the course of the Nigerian teams said there is a need for a more robust football development approach, particularly from the grassroots.

    Read Also: AFCON: Asisat Oshoala defends Iwobi, lambasts Tunde Ednut, VeryDarkMan

    He said: “Like I had alluded, Nigeria’s outing at the 2023 AFCON is an improvement from what happened in recent previous editions. However, efforts should now be channelled towards looking inwards.

    “For instance, there has to be a reformed approach in the handling of the various Nigerian leagues especially at the elite level in a bid to churn out more quality players and coaches with zeal and patriotic inclination.

    “With the outcome of the just concluded AFCON and even in the recent past, football is no longer what it used to be. So, no effort should be spared in ensuring a harmonised value chain in the ecosystem.”

  • AFCON: Iwobi deletes photos, videos on Instagram amid heavy criticisms

    AFCON: Iwobi deletes photos, videos on Instagram amid heavy criticisms

    Following Nigeria’s loss to Ivory Coast in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has removed all photos and videos from his Instagram page.

    The Nation reported that Nigeria was defeated 2-1 by the host country on Sunday, putting an end to the team’s hopes of clinching a fourth continental crown.

    Read Also: AFCON: Ivory Coast outplayed us, Jose Peseiro admits

    Shortly after the match, Iwobi faced harsh criticism from fans and football enthusiasts who believed he did not perform to his best ability, thereby impeding Nigeria’s chances of winning.

    Iwobi, therefore, deleted photos from his Instagram handle for fear of cyber abuse.

    The Fulham man featured for 79 minutes in Nigeria’s defeat to Ivory Coast and was replaced by Alhassan Yusuf.

  • Iwobi banks on Eagles’ winning spirit to beat Angola

    Iwobi banks on Eagles’ winning spirit to beat Angola

    • Players pocket $30,000 each plus 20 daily allowances

    Alex Iwobi has said that Super Eagles are in the right mood for today’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals clash against Angola today in Abidjan  even as  Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)   has confirmed  payment of $30,000 each to players as their qualification bonuses plus 20 days daily allowance in the competition.

    Speaking during  yesterday’s pre-press conference at the Palais de la Culture, Iwobi said Super Eagles have lots of quality players in the team that will deliver victory for Nigeria today.

    He said: “We have lots of respect for Angola for what they have achieved in the tournament to reach this stage. They have achieved a lot for themselves. They have scored more goals and keep clean sheet.

    “They have lots of attractive players. It’s not going to be easy because they have scored lots of goals but I have confidence in our team.

    “We remain focused and we play like family and we will continue to do so. We have lots of experienced players who play in the top league in our team. We have been doing well together and we will keep doing so. We will approach the game like we have been doing and I believe we will win,” Iwobi added.

    Read Also: Adeleke issues 24-hour ultimatum to warring communities to submit arms

    Speaking about his new role in Jose Peseiro 3-4-3 formation, Iwobi, who has been heavily criticized for his lack of creativity in the team, said he is doing the job assigned to him by coach Jose Peseiro

    “I have been told to manage the ball and keep the ball for my team. The role the coach told me and Frank to play is to control the game as much as we can and defend as a team,” he added.”They don’t really need much from me when there are creative players upfront like Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola  Lookman and  Moses Simon.

    “We try to control the game as much as we can, but first and foremost defend as a team. Without me creating, there’s always going to be a lot of other quality players than can do the job. I’m trying to do my job for the team, like I said if it is to help the team win, that’s what I am here to do.”

    On  the payment of match bonus allowances to players and officials, NFF’s General Secretary , Dr. Muhammed  Sanusi , confirmed last night  that the players have received bonuses and daily allowances ahead of today’s duel against Angola.

  • AFCON 2023: We’re ready for Indomitable Lions, says Iwobi

    AFCON 2023: We’re ready for Indomitable Lions, says Iwobi

    Fulham FC of England star, Alex Iwobi,one of the senior players in the Super Eagles at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nation in Cote d’Ivoire, said the team is focused and ready for the game against Cameroon.

    The 27-year-old midfielder is having is third AFCON campaigns, having been part of the team in 2019 AFCON in Egypt, 2022 AFCON in Cameroon and 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.

    Iwobi and his teammates will have their hands full when they face their arch rivals Cameroon in the round of 16 clash on Saturday at the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny stadium in Abidjan.

    The clash will be a repeat of 2019 edition in Egypt when both sides met at the same stage of the competition.

    Read Also; Abiodun hails Lafarge’s contributions

    Interestingly, Iwobi was on the scoresheet when Nigeria defeated Cameroon 3-2 in the encounter. Odion Ighalo scored brace to seal victory for Nigeria.

    “I don’t think we have to do anything differently, if you are winning 1-0, 2-0, it doesn’t matter as long as you win your games. It’s a knockout stage and as long as you win your game, defend well, create many chances, I’m sure we can put them away. We are very positive of getting a good result,” Iwobi said.

    Nigeria is having goal problem at AFCON, scoring two goals in three matches but the former Arsenal midfielder doesn’t see the situation as something to worry about.

     “I’m not concerned because we created many chances and kept clean sheet. We kept clean sheet and win our games. So, what’s important is winning our matches,” he said.

    Nigeria defeated Guinea Bissau 1-0 in the last group A game on Monday courtesy  of an own goal and Iwobi said the team take positive side of the game to the next game.

     “It’s turn out to be a difficult game. It’s another game with three points. It’s another game with clean sheet. We take the positive to the next round,” he added.

    Iwobi started AFCON 2023 campaign from the bench as coach Jose Peseiro handed starting lineup to new entrant Alhassan Yusuf. But Iwobi got a chance to start in the second game against Cote d’Ivoire due to Yusuf’s injury. However, Iwobi started from the bench in the last group A game against Guinea Bissau as Joe Aribo started in his place.

    Reacting to the rotation in the team, the former Everton midfielder revealed that Coach Peseiro has told every member of the squad that they are all good to make the team.

    Iwobi revealed: “He (Peseiro) told us to be ready and whoever is starting should have the mind set to be ready to come to the pitch.

     “We have so many talented players and Nigeria is blessed with so many players. At the end of the day whoever is playing must be ready to put 100 percent performance.”

    Cote d’Ivoire  suffered a humiliating by 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea on Monday and Iwobi is unconcerned about what happened to other team in the completion, rather focused on the task ahead of the team.

     “We are focused on ourselves. Whoever win 4-0 or lose 4-0 is none of our concern as long as we get result and move on to the next round.

     “It’s unfortunate that the host nation got beaten that way and it is a message that if a host nation can be defeated in such manner, other nation should be ready for us as well.”

    Speaking on Super Eagles victory over Cote d’Ivoire, he said: “It was never easy and it was difficult. We had to defend to win our game. It is an honour to represent your country. And I am proud to represent my country. To play in the best competition with the best African team. We knew it was going to be difficult against the host team. It is my childhood dream to represent my country.”

    He added: “To defeat the host nation is an achievement on its own. There still more games to be played if we want to win the competition. We stay level headed and go again.”

    Iwobi said he received full support from Fulham to represent Nigeria at AFCON.

     “Of course, representing your own nation is no mean achievement, the club do understand why we are here. I am supporting them and they are supporting me as well. We need to stay focused for the next game,” he said.

    Iwobi made his senior debut for the Super Eagles on 8 October after replacing Ahmed Musa in the 57th minute of a 2–0 friendly defeat to DR Congo in Visé, Belgium.

  • Iwobi, Lookman bullish about Eagles’ chances in Cote d’Ivoire

    Iwobi, Lookman bullish about Eagles’ chances in Cote d’Ivoire

    Super Eagles winger Alex Iwobi is confident Nigeria has what it takes to go as far as possible at the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

    Iwobi who confirmed that the Eagles are training and are gelling very well at their pre AFCON camping in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates said with the quality of players in the team picked by Jose Peseiro Nigerians should not have sleepless nights because they are bound to deliver in Cote d’Ivoire

    The Fulham FC player also affirmed that Nigerians should expect 100 percent performance from the players as they go in the hunt for the fourth African title at the continental fiesta.

    “It has been very good. We are in Abu Dhabi now to train and play a few friendly games before the start of the AFCON,” Iwobi told NFF TV. “Everyone is almost here and the squad is almost complete. We are training and the preparation is going on fine

    Read Also; Huge sporting expectations for Nigeria

    “The fans know the ability and the quality we have in the team. Even beyond the quality we have in the squad, Nigeria is blessed with so much talent and this we can also get in those that didn’t make the team.

    “We have the confidence that we can go far in this competition but we have to prove it to ourselves. What I can assure Nigerians is that we are going to give our 100 percent and we shall make the nation proud.”

    Speaking in the same vein, Ademola Lookman has assured Nigerians that they are fired up to win the fourth African Cup.

    Lookman who signed off for the AFCON with the matchwinner in Atalanta’s 1-0 home win over Sassuolo before hitting  Eagles’ camp,  said  the Super Eagles are preparing   hard for the competition  as he thumbed up the ongoing  training camp in Abu Dhabi.

    “Just like the rest of my teammates, we are already prepared and it’s  has been a few days training here in Abu Dhabi preparing for the AFCON and we have the mindset that we want to give all and fight looking forward to the big thing in Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire),” the former Everton and RB Leipzig player told NFF TV.”I want to give my best to every game for Nigeria and for the fans.

    “We have got strong mindset together and we are fired up to do that again. As a team we are together and are behind each other and as individual we believe in ourselves too.”

  • AFCON 2023: Osimhen, Iwobi shine as Eagles hammer Dubai club 12-0

    AFCON 2023: Osimhen, Iwobi shine as Eagles hammer Dubai club 12-0

    Besides four-goal hero Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Calvin Bassey as well as substitutes Alex Iwobi and Bright Osayi-Samuel shone brightest as the Super Eagles pounded a local team based in Dubai 12-0 in training game.

    Atalanta forward Lookman netted four times, Osimhen and Moses Simon hit a brace each, Sadiq Umar and Ahmed Musa weighed in with a goal each, while there were also two own goals. Ahmed Musa also missed a penalty.

    It was a comfortable win and coach Jose Peseiro must be pleased his team are firing from all angles.

    However, the bigger test for the Eagles will come today when they face another AFCON-bound team Guinea in a final warm-up game before they set out to Lagos.

    Osimhen fired a brace, but his overall play showed that he is in fine shape to justify his coronation as the best player in Africa at the AFCON.

    Read Also; Huge sporting expectations for Nigeria

    Fulham defender Bassey was calm and collected in the heart of the back after he started the test match alongside Portugal-based Chidozie Awaziem.

    Both Iwobi and Osayi Samuel did not start the game, but they impressed when they were introduced to the fray.

    Late replacement for injured Wilfred Ndidi, Alhassan Yusuf also saw action as he played the last 15 minutes of today’s match, which was played behind closed doors.

    NPFL lone representative Olorunleke Ojo will later replace Francis Uzoho, who started in goal.

    Enyimba shot stopper Ojo kept out a penalty to ensure a clean sheet for the team.

    Coach Jose Peseiro made many changes in the game as he tried to have a closer look at all options available before the team’s opening AFCON game next Sunday against Equatorial Guinea.

    Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface and South Africa-based goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali did not see action probably rested for the Guinea clash today.

  • Fulham 3-2 Wolves: Silva lauds Iwobi over performance against Wanderers

    Fulham 3-2 Wolves: Silva lauds Iwobi over performance against Wanderers

    Fulham Head coach, Marco Silva has heaped plaudits on the role played by the Super Eagles winger, Alex Iwobi in their 3-2 home win over Wolves on Monday night.

    Silva whose Cottagers improved to the 14th  spot with 15 points from 13 games said Iwobi and his teammates were deployed behind the strikers to help create goal scoring opportunities which he confirmed they did.

    “When you play with Willian, Alex, Andreas Pereira and Tom Cairney behind the striker, it was clear what we wanted for the game,” Silva told the club’s media.

    Read Also: Iwobi tips Super Eagles for 2026 World Cup

    “I knew that we were going to have ball, and I wanted much better decisions, because I knew that it’s going to be important for us to have some control.”

    Iwobi opened the floodgate of goals in the Cottagers’ 3-2 win home. It was his first goal of the season after nine games.

  • Iwobi tips Super Eagles for 2026 World Cup

    Iwobi tips Super Eagles for 2026 World Cup

    Alex Iwobi has tasted what it means to play at the FIFA World Cup and the Fulham midfielder is still pained for missing the first Mundial in the Middle East and he believes that the Super Eagles would do everything to be present at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada and Mexico.

    Iwobi who has been an integral part of the Coach Jose Peseiro’s tutored side said the joy and pride of playing for the country at the World Cup would spur the team when they begin their campaign against Lesotho at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    Read Also: Napoli sack Garcia and appoint Mazzari as new boss

     “I would like to be at the World Cup again and it is not just me but the whole team who will put 100 percent effort into bringing to the nation the joy and the sense of pride that we are going out there to represent them at the World Cup,”  Iwobi told NFFTv.

    Iwobi is particularly excited with the turnout for the qualifiers, which he said would give the coach the quality option to select the best legs that will prosecute the two matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

     “The training started well and we are working hard as a team to get the needed result from the start. Also, it is a blessing that we have a lot of talented players in the team and everyone is ready to give their best for the team,” he added.

  • Iwobi wins MOM in Fulham’s loss to Man United

    Iwobi wins MOM in Fulham’s loss to Man United

    Super Eagles star Alex Iwobi has been voted as Fulham’s Man of the Match despite his side’s 1-0 loss to Manchester United on Saturday.

    Operating in a slightly deeper role as a number eight, Iwobi was a major contributor to Fulham’s attacking threat, which often helped the team to utilize counter attacks, by carrying the ball up the pitch smoothly and quickly.

    Iwobi’s four successful dribbles was a game high, while he also had three shots – a number that no United player topped – and had a pass accuracy of 90.9 per cent.

    There was little between Iwobi and his midfield partner João Palhinha for the MOTM accolade, with the pair taking 30.7% and 26.4% of the vote, respectively.

    Calvin Bassey rounded out the top three with 9.7%.

    Meanwhile, Fulham manager Marco Silva revealed that he fielded both Iwobi and Andreas Pereira in midfield against Manchester United to give Fulham more creativity in their 1-0 defeat at Craven Cottage.

    Fulham had the better chances in a cagey affair but were ultimately beaten following a late Bruno Fernandes strike.

    Read Also: Iwobi hailed after superb performance against Brighton

    Iwobi and Pereira had previously only started alongside one another in the 3-1 win against bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United last month, with Silva opting for more defensive alternatives in recent matches against Tottenham and Brighton.

     “It was to be more dynamic, to try to be more creative,” Silva explained.

    “When you look at the team sheet you think this is a really offensive team to play against Man United. We knew it, but we accepted the type of game we were facing and we wanted to be more creative in certain areas of the pitch

     “We wanted to use Alex and Andreas in the pocket areas that we like to use to create wide triangles.

     “In the first minutes of the match we had some problems [with the formation] when Man United went direct and won some second balls. They tried to punish us but we adjusted to help Alex be more ready for the second balls with Joao [Palhinha] and from that moment we started to control them really well.”