He's played on some of the biggest stages in the world in the Premier League, but Alex Iwobi believes the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is a 'special' experience. The tournament will see 24 teams battling for the continental crown across the next couple of weeks.
Fulham midfielder Iwobi will represent his home country of Nigeria in the competition, where they will be hoping to clinch the title after missing out in a 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast in 2023's final. 'With AFCON, you get to celebrate Africa through football,' he tells BBC Newsbeat. 'You get to see different cultures, you get to see how different people dress, how people from Nigeria, the way we walk into the changing rooms. When some of the other countries walk into the changing rooms, we play music, so we're celebrating our music through that as well.'
Nigeria will be hoping to redeem themselves after failing to qualify for a second successive World Cup. Iwobi says it was a 'big disappointment', but the team will be using it to fuel them in the AFCON tournament. 'We owe it to ourselves to make it right, and there's no better way from the last AFCON to improve (than) just to win this one,' the 29-year-old says.
AFCON is typically held every two years and this time Morocco is hosting. Nigeria has won the competition three times over the years, the last being back in 2013. Their most recent loss to Ivory Coast is still prominent in Iwobi's mind as he says it 'shattered' their dreams. However, he feels the moment was 'written' for striker Sébastien Haller, who scored the winning goal after overcoming testicular cancer. 'It was a tough loss, but you give credit when credit is due; they deserved it,' Iwobi says.
'I never thought I would play for Arsenal, Fulham, or Nigeria growing up, but I am honored and grateful for my achievements,' he adds. Iwobi emphasizes that although AFCON is gaining recognition, it still deserves more respect. If he wins the tournament, he imagines calling his family immediately and experiencing the joy of victory, saying, 'It would just be crazy, but I want to experience that.'
Fulham midfielder Iwobi will represent his home country of Nigeria in the competition, where they will be hoping to clinch the title after missing out in a 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast in 2023's final. 'With AFCON, you get to celebrate Africa through football,' he tells BBC Newsbeat. 'You get to see different cultures, you get to see how different people dress, how people from Nigeria, the way we walk into the changing rooms. When some of the other countries walk into the changing rooms, we play music, so we're celebrating our music through that as well.'
Nigeria will be hoping to redeem themselves after failing to qualify for a second successive World Cup. Iwobi says it was a 'big disappointment', but the team will be using it to fuel them in the AFCON tournament. 'We owe it to ourselves to make it right, and there's no better way from the last AFCON to improve (than) just to win this one,' the 29-year-old says.
AFCON is typically held every two years and this time Morocco is hosting. Nigeria has won the competition three times over the years, the last being back in 2013. Their most recent loss to Ivory Coast is still prominent in Iwobi's mind as he says it 'shattered' their dreams. However, he feels the moment was 'written' for striker Sébastien Haller, who scored the winning goal after overcoming testicular cancer. 'It was a tough loss, but you give credit when credit is due; they deserved it,' Iwobi says.
'I never thought I would play for Arsenal, Fulham, or Nigeria growing up, but I am honored and grateful for my achievements,' he adds. Iwobi emphasizes that although AFCON is gaining recognition, it still deserves more respect. If he wins the tournament, he imagines calling his family immediately and experiencing the joy of victory, saying, 'It would just be crazy, but I want to experience that.'
