Alex Iwobi : I Chose Nigeria, Not England Because Of My Family

Arsenal winger Alex Iwobi has said that his family played a key role in his decision to represent the senior national team of Nigeria rather than England at international level.

The Hale End Academy product had caps for England U16, U17 and U18 teams before he became cap-tied to the three-time African champions in March 2016, having made his non-competitive debut against Democratic Republic of Congo in October 2015.

''I was growing up in England and England was the only national team I knew, so I was actually very pleased to play at national level," Iwobi told the print edition of  Soccer Laduma.

"However, my family are all from Nigeria, I was born in Nigeria, my uncle (Jay-Jay Okocha) is a legend in Nigeria.

"That's why I thought I would give it a chance. That's why I went to the U23s and somehow felt more welcome, and I thought it's where I belong, so I made the decision to switch."

Iwobi netted his third and fourth goals for the Super Eagles in their come from behind 4-2 win over Argentina in Krasnodar on Tuesday evening.

Igho Kingsley