Iwobi Leads AFCON 2025 Line-Breaking Passes as Super Eagles March On
Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has completed more line-breaking passes than any other player at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, according to statistics released by Opta.
Iwobi has recorded a total of 36 line-breaking passes in the knockout stages of AFCON 2025, the highest by any player at this stage of the tournament. The Fulham midfielder made 22 of those passes in Nigeria’s Round of 16 clash against Mozambique and added another 14 in the quarter-final win over Algeria.
The 28-year-old played a key role in Nigeria’s emphatic 4–0 victory over Mozambique, using his passing range from midfield to help the Super Eagles move the ball quickly through central areas. His influence in advancing play was again evident as Nigeria secured their place in the quarter-finals.
Earlier in the competition, Iwobi also impressed in the group stage, providing two assists in Nigeria’s opening win against Tanzania.
Against Algeria, the former Arsenal midfielder reached a major milestone, equalling a Nigerian record jointly held by Austin Okocha, Muda Lawal and John Obi Mikel. The quartet now share the record for the most Africa Cup of Nations appearances by a Nigerian midfielder, with 22 matches each.
Iwobi is expected to claim the record outright if he features in Nigeria’s semi-final encounter against Morocco’s Atlas Lions, which would take his AFCON appearances to 23 across four tournaments.
The midfielder previously played seven matches at both AFCON 2019 and AFCON 2023, as well as four matches each at AFCON 2021 and AFCON 2025, underlining his long-standing importance to the Nigerian national team.
