Alex Iwobi Snubbed England to Play for Home Nation of Nigeria After Okocha’s Intervention
Alex Iwobi, the talented midfielder, was faced with a difficult decision - to represent England, the country where he spent most of his life, or Nigeria, his birth nation. Thankfully, for Nigerian football fans, Iwobi chose the latter, and it's all thanks to the intervention of his uncle, Jay Jay Okocha, according to Sport Brief.
Iwobi's journey to this point is an interesting one. Born in Nigeria, he moved to England at a young age and rose through the ranks at Arsenal, before moving to Everton and then Fulham. With his talent and experience, he was eligible to represent England, but something was missing.
Okocha, who also played in the Premier League for Bolton Wanderers, knew exactly what it meant to represent Nigeria on the international stage. He sat down with his nephew and shared his experiences, highlighting the love and recognition footballers receive in Nigeria, especially those who play in the Premier League.
Okocha's words struck a chord with Iwobi, and he began to see the pride and joy of representing his home nation. He eventually made the decision to snub England and play for Nigeria, a choice that has paid off handsomely.
Since making his debut for the Super Eagles, Iwobi has made 78 appearances and scored 10 goals for the national team. He featured in every game for Nigeria at the recent Africa Cup of Nations, helping the team reach the final where they were narrowly beaten by hosts Ivory Coast.