The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Iwobi

  • Iheanaco, Iwobi, Oshoala, Falcons emerge Africa’s best

    Iheanaco, Iwobi, Oshoala, Falcons emerge Africa’s best

    Nigerian young football stars Kelechi Iheanaco,of Manchester City, Alex Iwobi of Arsenal and the Super Falcons team made Nigerians proud at the Silver Jubilee Confederation oo African Football (CAF) Awards held at the International Conference Center, Abuja yesterday.

    The most promising Player Award was fought between Mechak of Congo, Nabi Keita of Senegal and Nigeria’s Kelechi Iheanacho of Nigeria with Iheanacho emerged Africa’s Most Promising Player.

    Between Eric Ayah, Owusu Ansa of Ghana and Alex Iwobi, the winner was Alex Iwobi of Nigeria who won the 2016 Youth Player of the Year.

    For the Africa’s Women’s Footballer of the Year, Asisat Oshoala contested the award with  Elizabeth Ado of Ghana and Camerounian Gabriel Onguene, but Asisat Oshoala who scored six goals at the last Women’s AFCON emerged winner.

    For the Women’s National Team of the Year Award, the Super Falcons of Nigeria beat the Indomitable Lioness of Cameroun and the Bayana Bayana of South Africa to the Award. So Nigeria emerged the best Women National Team of the 2016 to cap their impressive performance that made the country to win the 2016 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations  held in Cameroun last year.

    Other notable winners of the Glo Silver Jubilee CAF Awards 2016 included the National team of the year 2016 Awards which was keenly contested between three giants of African football namely DR Congo, the Terenga Lions of Senegal and the Crane of Ugand but the Crane of Uganda emerged the national team won the the award. For the Club of the Year Award;Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa also won the best Club in the continent in the Year 2016 after emerging CAF

    Champions League Champion. Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa beat  TB Mazembe of DR Congo, , Zesco United Club of Zambia to win the award.

    The National Coach of the Year Award: was contested between Florence Omagbemei of Super Falcons,, Flotrent Ibenge of DR Congo and Pitso Mosimane of Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.but the Mamelodi Sundowns Coach emerged winner.

  • 2016 Glo-CAF Awards Arsenal stops Iwobi from ceremony

    2016 Glo-CAF Awards Arsenal stops Iwobi from ceremony

    Arsenal attacking midfielder Alex Iwobi will not attend the  prestigious Glo-CAF Awards ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, January 5 because of commitments with the Gunners.

    The 20-year-old is in the running to be named Youth Player of the Year along with Eric Ayiah (Ghana), Franck Kessie (Cote d’Ivoire & Atalanta), Sandra Owusu-Ansah (Ghana & Supreme Ladies) and Sidiki Maiga (Mali U-20).

    “Alex (Iwobi) is not coming for the CAF Award tomorrow, ” Iwobi’s uncle, retired Nigeria international Emma Okocha, told allnigeriasoccer.com.

    Iwobi was one of the breakout stars of the Premier League in 2016, and is odds-on favourite to win the Youth Player of the Year ahead of other nominees.

    If that comes to pass, he will follow in the footsteps of Wolfsburg striker Victor Osimhen, who picked up the accolade last year after starring at the 2015 Fifa U17 World Cup.

  • Iwobi: Giroud’s scorpion kick one of the best I´ve seen live

    Alex Iwobi said he and his Arsenal team-mates have been left gob-smacked by Olivier Giroud’s stunning ‘scorpion goal’.

    Giroud opened the scoring in Arsenal’s 2-0 Premier League win over Crystal Palace on Sunday, flicking his left boot behind him as he guided Alexis Sanchez’s cross beyond goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and in off the post.

    The sensational goal was compared to Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s effort for Manchester United against Sunderland on Boxing Day and as Arsenal prepare to face Bournemouth on Tuesday, Iwobi and Co. are still amazing by Giroud’s strike.

    “A lot of people were coming in at half-time with their mouths open like this [does a jaw-dropping impression],” Iwobi said.

    “They couldn’t believe it; they were all congratulating him, but it was only half-time. At the end of the game we could all say, ‘Well done, Ollie’.

    “It’s so rare. We have some special players and you do see the odd crazy thing, but nothing like that has ever happened in training.

    “We’ve had two now with Mkhitaryan. Don’t know who will be next. Those two goals were up there with the best I have ever seen.”

    Arsenal – fourth in the table – can reclaim third position from Manchester City with victory at Bournemouth.

  • Iwobi enjoys night out with girlfriend

    Iwobi enjoys night out with girlfriend

    The Nigeria international enjoyed a night out with his girlfriend at the Leicester Square following their Premier League defeat at the Goodison Park.

    Alex Iwobi and his girlfriend Clarisse Juliette joined a host of Arsenal players and their spouses for La Soiree performance in the Leicester Square.

    The Gunners hit the town to relax and get rid of their second league defeat of the season hours after Ashley Williams late header handed Everton a 2-1 victory over Arsenal on Tuesday.

    Other players present for the night-out were Olivier Giroud, Petr Cech, Rob Holding, Mesut Ozil, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gabriel Paulista, Granit Xhaka, David Ospina and Laurent Koscielny.

    Iwobi’s date, Clarisse Juliette posted a snap of their arrival at the venue of the performance.

  • Iwobi assures: We will fight Algeria

    Iwobi assures: We will fight Algeria

    •Arrives Abuja today

    Vastly improved Arsenal Football Club and Super Eagles forward, Alex Iwobi has disclosed that the Super Eagles must fight very hard to beat Algeria and remain on top of Group B of the last Phase of the 2018 World Cup African qualifiers.

    Smarting from his impressive performance for Arsenal against Tottenham Hotspur in the week 11 of the English Premier League derby that ended 1-1 , Iwobi told SportingLife he had wished for a victory against his club’s arch-rival Tottenham but he said his side was unlucky not to have emerged winners.

    He said his focus has now shifted to the Nigeria versus Algeria match slated for the Nest of Champions Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom on Saturday.

    “I would have been a very happy man if we had won the match against Tottenham Hotspur. But we will make amends in the next game. Now my focus is on Nigeria versus Algeria World Cup qualifier coming up this Saturday in Uyo.

    ‘It is going to be one of the toughest matches we would play in this qualifier and  we are  aware of this. So we have resolved to fight very, very hard and cover all the blades of the grass on the pitch to ensure we get victory against Algeria.

    “Algeria is highly ranked in the continent but the Super Eagles are blessed with great players that  are ready to shed their blood on the pitch if need be to get the needed victory and the three points that will make us  top our group and eventually win the World Cup ticket at stake”, Iwobi told SportingLife yesterday.

    The 20-year-old striker also confirmed that he would hit Abuja today for the camping exercise for the World Cup qualifying match against Algeria.

    “I hope to be in Abuja tomorrow (today) since we have played our league match today (Sunday)”.

  • Iwobi proud of breakthrough at Arsenal

    Iwobi proud of breakthrough at Arsenal

    ALEX Iwobi has sat back and taken stock of his time as a first-team player at English Premier League side, Arsenal and says “I’m proud of that.”
    The 20-year-old explained that he always looked at Spanish defender Hector Bellerin and wanted to have a shot at first-team football considering he is as young as he (Iwobi) is.
    The Nigeria international, who has been at Arsenal since the age of eight, further admitted that he hoped to play his way into the team like a few other Arsenal stars but is now happy that “I did it a different way.”
    “I was looking at Hector [Bellerin] because he was someone who was near enough my age.
    “I looked up to a few guys and I wanted to do it like them but the fact I did it a different way, I’m proud of that. Whether I got the chance to play with the first team or train with the first team, I always tried to do my best. Where I am today is just crazy,” said Iwobi to Sky Sports HQ.
    Iwobi, twice, was closing to being released by the Gunners when he was 14 and 16 but kept him till he was 18 with Arsene Wenger realising he is good enough to be at the Emirates.

  • Iwobi flattered to be likened to Okocha

    Iwobi flattered to be likened to Okocha

    Super Eagles rising star Alex Iwobi is pleased to be compared to his uncle Austin Okocha and retired Netherlands international Edgar Davids by Arsenal teammate Mesut Ozil, adding that it will boost his confidence.

    The attacking midfielder broke into the Gunners first team and the Nigeria setup last season, and his progress has not stalled since he earned that promotion, with three assists to his name from five Premier League games this term.

    “When I saw [his comments comparing me to Okocha and Edgar Davids] I was like, ‘Wow is he serious?’ because he never really says that much to me,” Iwobi told arsenal.com.

    “He just gives me advice and help, but it’s such a confidence boost for such a great player to say that about me.”

    Iwobi has insisted that he will not rest on his laurels, and vowed to put in the maximum effort possible because he is still learning his craft.

    The 20-year-old said to the Gunners official website : “I’m never really happy or satisfied with my performances. I always want to improve and I think that’s probably got me to where I am.

    “I’m still learning the game and want to be doing than what I am at the moment, so I’ll keep putting 100 per cent into whatever I do.”

     

  • Rohr counts on Iwobi to deliver goals

    Rohr counts on Iwobi to deliver goals

    Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has backed Arsenal striker Alex Iwobi to help his side get the winning goals against Zambia in the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier today.

    Iwobi has been impressive for the Gunners this season after breaking into Arsene Wenger’s first team.

    And the Super Eagles handler is confident the 20-year-old will inspire the team to victory against the Chipolopolo.

    “Of course, Iwobi was injured the last time and couldn’t play against Tanzania,” Rhor said during a press conference.

    “So naturally he is here. Everybody knows that he is a good player. I hope his integration into the team will make our first team in Ndola.

    “The training was good and we tried to help bring him into the team. We analyzed our own game, so he knows how we played in Uyo and we cannot change so much tactically because the time is short.

    “To change we have other system of strategies because it will be the same style in Zambia. I count a lot on him that he can help us win the game.

    “Because we must have a good striker and a good attack and we must have good quality players and have who can score.

    “The problem in Uyo is that we could not score, we have 27 shots on goal but we could score only one,” he concluded.

  • Iwobi shocked at PHCN over power outage

    Iwobi shocked at PHCN over power outage

    Arsenal attacking midfielder Alex Iwobi has aimed a cheeky dig at Abuja Electricity Distribution Company PLC, sometimes colloquially referred to as NEPA, after a power cut at the Super Eagles Bolton White Hotel and Apartments camp.

    Although Iwobi was born in Lagos, he has lived non-stop in England for the past 16 years, so is unaware of the reality on the ground regarding frequent power outages.

    The Gunners number 17 took to social media to express disapproval and his message was clear though he tried to play down his discomfort.

    Iwobi tweeted  on Thursday night: “When Nepa Take Light ?? #Nigeria.”

    The 20-year-old arrived in Nigeria on Tuesday from his base in north London.

  • Rohr banks on Iwobi to destroy Zambia

    Rohr banks on Iwobi to destroy Zambia

    • Says Arsenal star will solve goal scoring problem
    • We have Zambia’s video —Rohr
    • Expects changes in strategy from new Coach

    Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has tipped Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi to help his team score goals when the Nigerian team confronts the Chipolopolo of Zambia in a crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier in Ndola on Sunday.

    The Franco German Coach was excited with the presence of the Arsenal rising star and he did not hide his belief that Iwobi could help unlock the defense of the Zambians to score the needed goal(s) on Sunday. Rohr told the media representatives that covered his first media parley in Abuja yesterday at the team’s Bolton White Apartment Camp.

    “(Alex )Iwobi was injured the last time he was invited to play for Nigeria against Tanzania. He is here now and everybody knows that he is a good player. I hope his integration in the team will make our first team strong enough in Ndola.

    “We cannot change much tactically because the time is short (to do that now). I count a lot on him (Iwobi) that he can help us to win the game.

    “We must have a good striker and a good attack; we must have a good and quality playing game and we must have players who can score.

    “We don’t want the problem that we encountered in Uyo to repeat itself in Ndola. In Uyo (against Tanzania) we had 27 shot on goal but scored only one goal. It was a problem”, Rohr disclosed.

    Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has allayed fears over the invisibility of the Chipolopolo of Zambia at home boasting that he knows the strength and the weaknesses of the host team.

    Nigeria will slug it out with Zambia on Sunday in a fierce battle for the only ticket for the 2018 World Cup which also comprise of other top African teams Algeria and Cameroun. Rohr is not afraid of winning his first world cup qualifier  away from home.

    “We have the video of the last five games of the Zambian team. We are also aware of the fact that they have changed their coach so it can be a bit different (in technic and style) but I think the Coach will present the same players against us in Ndola.

    “We know them (Zambians) very well. We have watched their video clips of their last five games together two days ago (Wednesday) and yesterday (Thursday) too. We know much about the team. What we don’t know is the strategy the new coach will employ since he is a new Coach handling the team now.

    “But we have professional players that know the situation so we can have good adaptation concerning the situation. The Zambian Coach can employ another strategy but we have our strategy and we will play our game. The most important thing is our team not the other team.