Alex Iwobi has praised head coach Eric Chelle for fostering a strong team spirit that has propelled the Super Eagles into the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, barely two months after their World Cup qualification hopes ended in heartbreak.
Nigeria face tournament hosts Morocco tonight in Rabat, aiming to sustain the impressive form that has carried them into the last four of the competition.
The Super Eagles reached the AFCON final two years ago in Côte d’Ivoire, where they fell to the hosts, while Iwobi was also part of the squad that made the semi-finals in 2019. This time, the Fulham midfielder believes a healthier atmosphere off the pitch is helping the team deliver at a higher level, despite lingering reports of disputes with the Nigeria Football Federation over bonuses.
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“I feel the difference is the sense of brotherhood, the family environment we have created,” the 29-year-old said at a well-attended press conference in Rabat. “At previous AFCONs we did well. The team was strong, but we were young and still learning about each other.
“Now, everyone is entering their prime, doing well at their clubs, and you can see the joy and chemistry when we play for our country. It is not just on the pitch. Off the pitch, there is unity. We are a big family, and it starts with the coach. He brought that brotherhood.”
Nigeria struggled through a difficult World Cup qualifying campaign, with their hopes finally dashed by a penalty shoot-out defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in a play-off in Rabat last November.
“We have always given 100 per cent,” Iwobi said. “In the World Cup qualifiers we wanted to win, but it was a tough period. We have turned that disappointment into motivation to achieve something for our country, for ourselves and for our families.”
