'He's a solder' - Iwobi responds to on-the-field incident with Nwabali in Super Eagles win against Angola

Alex Iwobi has responded to an on-the-field incident with Stanley Nwabali during the second half of Nigeria's 1-0 win over Angola in a quarterfinal clash at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations. 

The Super Eagles goalkeeper was pictured shouting at Iwobi - the most capped player on the pitch -  shortly after the Palancas Negras came close to equalizing through Zini, whose shot came off the post. 

Iwobi being yelled at by Nwabali has caused different opinions among the fans, with some feeling he was disrespectful to one of the senior and loyal players in the Super Eagles squad while others have insisted that the Chippa United goalkeeper did not step out of boundaries. 

Responding to the incident, Iwobi maintained that there are no ill feelings on his side towards Nwabali, who miraculously recovered to be included in the starting lineup against Angola after he was stretchered off the pitch in the round of 16 tie with Cameroon. 

He told The Athletic Nigeria: "He's a soldier, the fact that he was able to withstand that injury and fight for us today shows how much he loves us and wants to fight for the country.

"I am happy, great team performance and we are through to the semifinals so we are one step closer to our dream."

Some pundits feel that Iwobi is being more careful with his tackles at the ongoing tournament after he was sent off in the 2021 edition of the AFCON shortly after entering the game as a substitute against Tunisia. 

"I have no issues. If that's how it looks like then that's how it looks, I'm just playing my game," Iwobi added.

Iwobi has been involved in the last sixteen matches played by Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, eleven of which he started. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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