Striker’s impressive pre-season sees father’s wish fulfilled
Nigeria has called up teenage Arsenal striker Alex Iwobi to represent the Super Eagles after the youngster, who represented England at U16, U17 and U18, elected to play for the country of his birth at full international level.
Iwobi, who was on the bench for the Gunners’ Capital One Cup clash with arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, is one of Arsene Wengers most promising young talents and had been tipped to play in the England senior squad had he not chosen to plump for Nigeria.
He trained earlier this year with England’s U23 squad alongside last season’s break-out star, Tottenham’s Harry Kane, Iwobi spoke of his father’s influence in his final decision.
“My dad too has told me a lot of things about the honour and pride that goes with playing for Nigeria,” he said, adding: “So I thought a lot about this and decided to play for Nigeria.”
The 19-year-old has footballing connections with the Super Eagles that go beyond his father’s devotion. He is the nephew of former Nigeria and Bolton captain Jay-Jay Okocha, possibly the most famous player to pull on the green shirt of West Africa’s most successful footballing nation.
Alex Iwobi is expected to join the rest of the Nigeria squad for their friendlies against Congo and Cameroon in October.
