Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has insisted that midfielder Alex Iwobi will be remembered as one of the national team’s greats when he eventually retires.
Iwobi is one of the longest-serving players in the current Nigerian national team squad, with 83 caps, contributing 10 goals and six assists.
However, the Fulham star has faced scrutiny for his performances with the national team. He was particularly criticised after Nigeria lost the Africa Cup of Nations final against Ivory Coast, a backlash that led him to disable his social media accounts.
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After staying out of the spotlight for some time, Iwobi returned to social media with a freestyle, seemingly addressing his critics. Since then, he has bounced back, performing well for his club this season while continuing to represent Nigeria.
He is currently in the Super Eagles camp, preparing to face Rwanda in their final AFCON qualifier on Monday evening.
Troost-Ekong on Iwobi’s Super Eagles legacy
Despite the criticism Iwobi has faced, Troost-Ekong believes Nigerians will eventually come to appreciate the former Arsenal star.
“I think the biggest motivation we see [is] some great players like Alex Iwobi. He has been now also for a long time, 80-something caps, he was there at my second camp, and I was trying to use him as, I think, a top role model for any player, someone who has played in the Premier League throughout his career,” Troost-Ekong said during the Nigeria vs. Rwanda pre-match press conference.
“He has nothing to prove, always comes here on time, doesn’t open his mouth, works hard, [and] has been criticized heavily by people also sitting in this room. But he is someone that will go down as a real great when he finishes playing.
“Sometimes you have to appreciate the players we have here, and you know all these boys are working hard; they want to make everyone proud.
“So we are all in this journey together, and I am very proud to have already done almost 10 years. But I am not finished yet; I still have some targets to achieve.”
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles have already secured their spot at the AFCON tournament in Morocco. Despite this, they will aim for all three points when they host Rwanda on Monday in their final AFCON qualifier, with Troost-Ekong expected to captain the team once again.
