While we wait for the 23-man squad that eventually leaves the shores of Nigeria to play in the FIFA World Cup in Russia, one thing remains undoubted – Alex Iwobi will be on the list (all things being equal), according to Dailypostng.
Having risen from nobody to somebody as far as the Nigerian football clime is concerned, Iwobi’s presence at the World Cup seems like too early for someone who wasn’t even known three years ago. But, you don’t need to worry.
Such is the rise of great players. Prior to joining Liverpool, Mo Salah was your regular player. The story isn’t the same today. With a total of 22 appearances for the Ginners in the just concluded EPL season, it is safe to say that Iwobi is Nigeria’s biggest player on the planet.
The same could be said of Victor Moses who plays for Chelsea. However, Moses’ place in the Chelsea team isn’t guaranteed which is the reason he plays any position for Antonio Conte.
Iwobi has played a total of 46 matches this season, more than any other Nigerian player in Europe’s top five leagues. Long after the inception of bet365 alternatives, he became Nigeria’s football ambassador in Europe when every other Nigerian player is moving to China – Mikel and Ighalo come to mind.
While Mikel would most likely be the captain of this Nigerian side, Ighalo and Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho are tipped to start in the side as well, all eyes will be on Iwobi. Alex Iwobi is believed to have the experience Ighalo and Iheanacho haven’t acquired.
This may be too much for a 22 year-old, but he is used to the pressure. Dealing with pressure is something you have to learn if you want to play under Arsene Wenger. Iwobi has loads of that.
The kick-off whistle won’t be blown until June 14, 2018. Yet, fans on the streets are already daydreaming and weighing up Nigeria’s chances at the World Cup.
They all know that their hopes rest on the shoulders of the 23 men representing the country. However, a big percentage of them will tell you that Iwobi, just like his uncle Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, is a key figure to Nigeria’s longevity in Russia.