The Digest:
Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has opened up about the stark contrast between Nigeria's football setup and England's, revealing the organizational challenges that almost deterred him from representing Nigeria. Speaking about his early experiences with the under-23 team, Iwobi described England's system as "strict" and disciplined, with structured regimes at St. George's Park. In contrast, he said, "Sometimes your flight's not booked properly, you have to book your own flight. You get there, and sometimes the people at the airport are not ready to pick you up, so you have to make your own way." He also recounted challenges during camp: "The hotels are okay. Sometimes the light goes out, sometimes you don't have anywhere to charge your phone. In England, no one's allowed in the hotel. In Nigeria, people can come into your room whenever they want." Iwobi credited his family, his uncle, and father, for convincing him to "try once with Nigeria." Despite the initial doubts, he has no regrets, stating: "I did love England, but because I grew up in a Nigerian household, Nigeria has always been a part of me."
Key Points
- Iwobi reveals NFF's poor organisation: flights not booked, no airport pickup.
- Contrasts England's strict, disciplined setup with Nigeria's lax approach.
- Camp challenges: power outages, no phone charging, unrestricted hotel access.
- Family convinced him to try Nigeria despite initial doubts.
- No regrets: Nigeria "has always been a part of me."
Sources: Player Interview
