Alex Iwobi said he has no regrets at all about choosing to represent Nigeria despite featuring for England at youth level as he prepares to achieve a major milestone with Super Eagles.
The Fulham midfielder is expected to make his 100th appearance for Nigeria when the three-time African champions face Portugal in an international friendly on Wednesday.
The feat would make Iwobi only the fourth Nigerian player to amass 100 caps, joining Joseph Yobo, Vincent Enyeama and Ahmed Musa in an exclusive club.
More significantly, the midfielder is set to become the fastest player in the country’s history to reach the century mark.
Shoot at your fingertips
Iwobi made his senior debut for Nigeria against the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 8 October 2015 and has been a regular in the national team ever since.
If he features against Portugal, he will have made 100 appearances in 10 years and 245 days, surpassing former captain Ahmed Musa’s record.
Musa reached the milestone in October 2021, 11 years and 35 days after making his debut for the Super Eagles.
The achievement would further underline Iwobi’s importance to Nigeria over the past decade, having represented the country at multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Proud of the international decision
Ahead of the milestone, Iwobi reflected on his decision to switch allegiance from England to Nigeria, insisting he never doubted the choice.
“I am proud to be where I am today; proud to wear the green and white. I am grateful to everyone, including the coach who first invited me to the team. I do not regret choosing Nigeria,” he told the official website of the Nigeria Football Federation.
“I went to the Nigeria Under-23 camp for the first time and it felt like home. I represented England at youth level but I always felt that Nigeria was home.”
The midfielder also credited his father for supporting his decision without influencing it.
“My father always told me to go out there and enjoy my football and make a decision that I felt was good for me.”
Looking back on his international career, Iwobi identified his goal against Zambia in 2017, which secured Nigeria qualification for the 2018 World Cup, as his most memorable moment in the Super Eagles jersey.
