Alex Iwobi is on the verge of making history for Nigeria as it approaches the record it previously held Ahmed Musawith Super Eagles they face Portugal in an international friendly on Wednesday.
The Fulham midfielder currently has 99 caps for the national team and is expected to reach the 100-cap milestone if he features against Portugal.
That feat would place him among a select group of Nigerian players with triple-digit points for the national team.
It is also Iwobi’s turn to set a new benchmark for the speed of reaching the landmark, surpassing Musa’s record for the fastest journey to 100 appearances in the history of Nigerian football.
Shooting the chase in focus
Iwobi’s senior debut for Nigeria came on 8 October 2015 in a friendly against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since then, he has remained consistently present in the national team through several coaching periods and tournaments.
If he plays against Portugal, Iwobi will reach 100 caps in 10 years and 245 days, surpassing Musa’s long-standing record of 11 years and 35 days from debut to the century mark.
Only three players in Nigeria’s history have reached 100 appearances: Joseph Yobo, Vincent Enyeama and Ahmed Musa.
An opportunity in a high-profile competition
The upcoming match against Portugal offers Iwobi a high-profile stage to reach the milestone, with Cristiano Ronaldo expected to play for the European side.
Iwobi earned his 99th cap in his last game against Jordan, a game that ended in disappointment after he was sent off in the closing stages.
Despite that setback, he remains firmly in contention for selection and many expect him to feature in Nigeria’s plans moving forward.
Ahmed Musa currently holds the record for the fastest journey to 100 caps, achieved in 2021 during a World Cup qualifier against the Central African Republic.
Iwobi will still get opportunities after the Portugal game, but all indications point to a friendly as he joins the 100-cap Nigerian club.
