Nigeria Legend Okocha: I Convinced Alex Iwobi To Choose Nigeria Over England
Published: October 30, 2017
Former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Austin Okocha has revealed that he played a key role in the decision of Alex Iwobi to represent Nigeria ahead of England at senior level.
The Arsenal winger, who was born in Lagos, was a former England youth international up to U18 level before his father Chuka Iwobi, Austin Okocha and coach Samson Siasia convinced him to play for Nigeria.
Iwobi attended a Nigeria U23 get-together in Abuja prior to earning his first cap for the Super Eagles.
''There are some things you cannot change, I never thought that it would happen but I am so glad that the young man is doing so well and also that he is not regretting the fact that I convinced him to play for Nigeria, so it has worked out well in both ways so I am delighted,'' Austin Okocha told Goal Nigeria.
Alex Iwobi scored the match-winner for the Super Eagles against Zambia on October 7, which guaranteed the national team a spot in next summer's football festival in Russia.
His uncle, Austin Okocha, appeared in multiple World Cups defending the colours of Nigeria, in 1994, 1998 and 2002.
Igho Kingsley
The Arsenal winger, who was born in Lagos, was a former England youth international up to U18 level before his father Chuka Iwobi, Austin Okocha and coach Samson Siasia convinced him to play for Nigeria.
Iwobi attended a Nigeria U23 get-together in Abuja prior to earning his first cap for the Super Eagles.
''There are some things you cannot change, I never thought that it would happen but I am so glad that the young man is doing so well and also that he is not regretting the fact that I convinced him to play for Nigeria, so it has worked out well in both ways so I am delighted,'' Austin Okocha told Goal Nigeria.
Alex Iwobi scored the match-winner for the Super Eagles against Zambia on October 7, which guaranteed the national team a spot in next summer's football festival in Russia.
His uncle, Austin Okocha, appeared in multiple World Cups defending the colours of Nigeria, in 1994, 1998 and 2002.
Igho Kingsley
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