Alex Iwobi : Baby Steps, Giant Strides

Not so many African footballers can boast of having a legend as an uncle, Iwobi can.

The year is 1993, Okocha played a major role in qualifying Nigeria for it's first ever World Cup, decades and nearly a quarter of a century after his nephew Iwobi did the same.

Okocha scored the equaliser against Algeria with a free-kick, a game Nigeria went on to win.

Unsurprisingly comparison has been made with his uncle. Iwobi came on as a substitute against Zambia, the Arsenal man had been on the pitch less than ten minutes when he got much needed goal at the moment in time following a cut-back from Shehu.

Alex Iwobi is surely older than what is uncle was when he scored that all important goal but his level of exposure both for the national team and club is unrivaled.

A happy Iwobi went to say after the game against Zambia, ''A dream come true. We’re heading to the World Cup. Nice to get the winning goal, massive thanks to our fans. The atmosphere was crazy,'' and when asked in an interview Iwobi told the official Arsenal website that he was always looking up to his uncle.

Whilst there have been mixed reactions as to if he is capable of delivering at the stage just like his uncle it is noteworthy that in 4 games during the qualifiers Iwobi got 2 goals.

I would say let's stop the comparison and watch greatness,  he is not too young to be great!

Yusuf Jimoh