Follow Us on Google
By Goli Innocent
Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has revealed the stark differences between the national team environments of Nigeria national football team and England national football team, recalling that his early experience with Nigeria was far less structured.
Iwobi, who was born in Lagos before moving to London at the age of four, represented England at youth level up to the Under-18 team before committing his international future to Nigeria. Since making his senior debut for the Super Eagles in October 2015, he has grown into one of the team’s key players.
Speaking in an interview shared on social media, the Fulham midfielder explained that the organisation and discipline in England’s national team setup were very different from what he experienced with Nigeria.
“Playing for England and playing for Nigeria are very different. England is a bit more strict. In St George’s Park or in a hotel, no one is allowed to come in, strict food, strict regime that is it,” he said.
Iwobi also disclosed that during his early days with Nigeria, players sometimes had to deal with travel and logistical challenges themselves.
Other News
“Nigeria now, sometimes your flight is 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. The hotels are OK. Sometimes the light goes out, sometimes you do not have anywhere to charge your phone. In England, no one is allowed in the hotel. In Nigeria, people can come into your room whenever they want.”
The midfielder further revealed that he initially hesitated before choosing to represent Nigeria but was convinced by his family to try out with the country’s Under-23 team first.
“My uncle and my dad said, just at least try once with Nigeria. So I tried the under-23s just to see, and then I could compare what I prefer. The pitch we were training on would have half grass, half AstroTurf, and maybe a bit of sand on the side. The coaches were strict in the sense that if you mess up a pass, you do not just get told off you have to do a lap around the pitch.”
Despite the early challenges, Iwobi said choosing Nigeria remains a decision he is proud of, noting that his Nigerian roots influenced his final choice. “It took a lot of convincing at the time, but I have no regrets. I did love England, but because I grew up in a Nigerian household, Nigeria has always been a part of me,” he added.
