'African football like war' - Iwobi boasts ahead of AFCON qualifier

Super Eagles of Nigeria star Alex Iwobi spoke to the media ahead of the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Sierra Leone.

Before the recent friendly games against Mexico and Ecuador in the United States of America (USA) Iwobi was last in action for Nigeria in the round of 16 AFCON loss to Tunisia.

Iwobi is back with the national team for the AFCON qualifiers after he missed the Super Eagles 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff double header against the Black Stars of Ghana.

Ahead of the first qualification game for the AFCON, Iwobi gave his thoughts on African football.

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The Everton man played for England at youth level before switching his allegiance to represent the Green and white of Nigeria.

In the chat with the media according to Totori news Iwobi compared African football to war based on the physical nature.

Speaking after the Super Eagles practice, Iwobi said, “Of course African football is different. There is fire and the intensity is high and very physical. It is almost Iike war.

“The task is different and the players very difficult. But it is always marvelous to represent your country. 

“It is an honour to always represent your country. That’s the feeling every player has when they represent their country.

“Nigeria, we are strong and we believe that we have the players and we feel that we can beat any team. “We just have to prove it."

Iwobi is expected to return to midfield when the Super Eagles take on the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in their first AFCON qualifier scheduled for Thursday, June 9, 2022 at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.