Super Eagles and Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi has opened up about the realities of representing Nigeria, revealing some of the challenges players endure whenever they answer the national team’s call.
Speaking on The Bootleg Podcast, Iwobi said wearing the green and white jersey has always been a privilege, but admitted that the conditions surrounding the team can be frustrating.
According to him, players sometimes have to pay for their own flights to camp, arrive at hotels without electricity, wash their own training kits, and play on poor pitches.
“I love playing for Nigeria, but you have to pay for your own flight. You arrive at the hotel and there’s no electricity. You wash your own kit, the pitch is only half grass, and if you make one bad pass, the coach starts screaming at you. But I love the food.”
Iwobi also talked on the aftermath of Nigeria’s defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final, which was played in February 2024. He said the wave of criticism from Nigerian fans became so intense that he deleted his Instagram account.
The Fulham star, however, revealed that Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen played a key role in lifting his spirits and convincing him to keep representing the country.
“After the AFCON final against Côte d’Ivoire, Nigerians dragged me so much I deleted my Instagram. Then Victor Osimhen knocked on my hotel room and said, ‘Even if you retire today, you’re a Super Eagles legend and one of our best players.'”
Iwobi made his senior debut for the Super Eagles in October 2015 and has since gone on to earn 100 international caps, becoming only the fourth Nigerian to reach the milestone after Vincent Enyeama, Joseph Yobo and Ahmed Musa. The Fulham midfielder has scored 10 goals for Nigeria and has enjoyed success at the Africa Cup of Nations, winning silver at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire before helping the Super Eagles secure the bronze medal at the 2025 AFCON.
