Iwobi’s Father Proud as Fulham Star Shines for Super Eagles at AFCON 2025

Alex Iwobi has been one of Nigeria’s standout players at AFCON 2025, with his father, Chuba Iwobi, in Morocco to support him throughout the tournament. The 29-year-old Fulham midfielder is one of the senior figures in the Super Eagles squad and has now made 93 appearances for Nigeria, with only Joseph Yobo, Vincent Enyeama and Ahmed Musa having more caps. Iwobi, who is the nephew of former Super Eagles captain Jay-Jay Okocha, was born in Nigeria but moved to England as a baby and played for England at youth level before choosing to represent Nigeria in 2015.

Speaking about his son’s career, Chuba Iwobi said he is proud of how far Alex has come, admitting he could never have imagined the level his son would reach. A former footballer himself, Chuba said Alex was inspired by Okocha from a young age, often watching his uncle play, but has developed his own style over the years. He also explained that comparisons with Okocha were natural but helped Alex become mentally strong, especially during difficult periods in his career.

Iwobi is the Nigerian with the most Premier League appearances, having played over 300 games in the competition, and his father believes this shows his quality and consistency. He added that Alex always gives his best for Nigeria and plays with pride for the country. Chuba also revealed how his son chose to play for the Super Eagles, saying he encouraged Alex to visit Nigeria and experience the national team environment but allowed him to make the final decision himself.

With Nigeria aiming to win AFCON 2025 after finishing runners-up two years ago, Iwobi remains focused on lifting the trophy. The midfielder is also just 18 matches away from becoming the most-capped player in Super Eagles history, underlining his importance to the team and his long-standing commitment to Nigerian football.