February 24, 2015 – Nigerian born striker, who plays for Arsenal Football Club of England, Alex Iwobi has joined Nigeria’s Under 23 national team for 11th All African Games in Gabon.
The tournament will give him the first opportunity to were Nigeria’s national colours in any international encounter.
However the striker who has played for England in Under 16, 17 and 18 joined the Nigerian team just as he expressed willingness to play for Nigeria in international soccer.
Alex’ father who made the disclosure said the entire Iwobi family want player to represent Nigeria. “Alex is very, very keen and the entire family is enthusiastic for him to represent Nigeria. He was born here in Nigeria but we took him as a four –month old baby to England and he has been there ever since.
“He turned out for England at U-16, U-17 and U-18 levels in a number of friendlies and invitational tournaments, but we are all eager for him to play for Nigeria at senior level,” Chuka Iwobi, a lawyer, told thenff.com.
Alex Iwobi traveled to Gabon with the U-23 National Team for an 11th All-Africa Games qualifying match at the weekend, just to feel the culture and tempo of the Nigeria National Team camp setting.
“We are all excited at the imminence of Alex wearing the green-white-green. Anything that we need to do, any letter or papers that we need to give to the Nigeria Football Federation, we are ready to do that.
“I can’t believe the publicity that he has amassed over the past weeks. You open the papers and they are talking about Alex, and also on the radio. It is amazing.”
Chuka Iwobi, from Onitsha in Anambra State, confirmed that his mother is English but father a Nigerian, and there is no iota of doubt on where his heart lies.
“Even if he is not able to play for the U-23 National Team, we are looking forward to him playing for the Super Eagles. It will be the fulfillment of a dream.”
A very humble and patriotic family. I like this father, I like his son, Alex, and I like the entire family. May the good Lord help them fulfill
their dreams. May Alex be a great blessing to the family. May the decision they have taken bring more glory into the family. May his joining the Nigerian team at whatever level be a blessing to his career and to Nigerian football.