Sports
England FA failed in last bid to snatch Iwobi
The English Football Association’s last minutes attempts to persuade Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi from committing his international football future to Nigeria has failed as the youngster decided to pitch his tent with the Super Eagles.
Iwobi, who is Nigerian legend, Jay-Jay Okocha’s nephew, has burst onto the scene in recent weeks, scoring his first goal for Arsenal in the 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday.
The striker who is already in Super Eagles camp in Kaduna for the match against Egypt played for the Three Lions on the youth level, but has chosen to represent his birth country Nigeria by featuring in two friendlies.
However, with the 19-year-old yet to play for the Super Eagles on a competitive level, the FA made a last-gasp attempt to persuade him back to the England national set-up.
Ripples Nigeria however gathered from close associates of the player, that the efforts by the English FA were rebuffed by the Arsenal striker who has made 14 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners this season, scoring one goal.
Read also: Expect a tough game, Elneny tells Iwobi
The youngster has started three of the Gunners’ last four matches, with his latest game being a man-of-the-match performance against Everton during the weekend, scoring his first senior Arsenal goal.
Meanwhile, former Nigeria international Emmanuel Okocha has revealed that his nephew, Arsenal’s man of the moment Alex Iwobi, will not turn his back on Nigeria
“Iwobi is here in Nigeria for the match against Egypt, so hopefully if he plays a part, he can no longer play for England, that will be it,” said Emmanuel Okocha to allnigeriasoccer.com.
“He wants to play for Nigeria and that is why he is here.”
Iwobi trained with Nigeria’s Olympic National Team a year ago but could not make his competitive debut against Gabon in an All Africa Games qualifier because there were uncertainties regarding if he needed approval from FIFA before switching his international allegiance.
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