Alex Iwobi reaches 100 caps for Nigeria, expresses no regrets
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Alex Iwobi earned his 100th cap for the Nigerian national football team in an international friendly against Portugal.
- He joins an elite group of Nigerian players, including Joseph Yobo, Vincent Enyeama, and Ahmed Musa, to reach this milestone.
- Iwobi expressed pride in representing Nigeria, stating he has no regrets about choosing the country over England, despite missing out on AFCON titles and the upcoming World Cup.
Alex Iwobi achieved a significant milestone on Wednesday, earning his 100th cap for the Nigerian national football team in an international friendly against Portugal in Leiria. This achievement places him in an exclusive club of Nigerian football legends, alongside Joseph Yobo, Vincent Enyeama, and Ahmed Musa, who have also reached the century mark for the Super Eagles.
I am proud to be where I am today; proud to wear the green-and-white.
Iwobi, a product of the Hale End Academy, received a commemorative plaque bearing the number 100 before the match. The former Arsenal player, who switched his international allegiance to Nigeria after representing England at various youth levels, expressed his contentment with his decision. Despite not winning the Africa Cup of Nations or qualifying for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, he stated, “I am proud to be where I am today; proud to wear the green-and-white. I have no regrets choosing Nigeria.”
I have no regrets choosing Nigeria.
The decision to play for Nigeria was made after careful consideration, including consultations with his family and his uncle, Nigerian legend Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha. Iwobi recalled Okocha’s advice to "go and do what’s right, go and enjoy your football." After experiencing the under-23 camp, Iwobi felt a strong connection to Nigeria, stating, “Nigeria is where my heart is.” While acknowledging Okocha's influence, he emphasized that the final choice was his own.
He always said go and do what’s right, go and enjoy your football.
Since his debut in a friendly against DR Congo in October 2015, Iwobi has participated in four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, securing silver in 2023 and bronze medals in 2019 and 2025. He also played in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His 100th cap came after a suspension following a red card in a previous friendly match.
Of course he’s a Nigerian legend and the advice I got from my parents and from him was that before you take a decision on where you want to play, give Nigeria a try and see how you feel.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by ThisDay in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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