ALEX Iwobi has commended Super Eagles of Nigeria captain Ahmed Musa, although the Sivasspor forward has not played a single minute at the AFCON 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
As the Super Eagles prepare for this evening’s quarter-final clash against Angola in Abijdan, Iwobi revealed that even without making an on-field appearance, Musa has made a positive impact on the side’s results.
Among the 25 players in the Super Eagles squad, only Musa and Kenneth Omeruo have won the AFCON title, both playing key roles in the 2013 triumph in South Africa.
“Musa told us how they won the 2013 AFCON,” Iwobi said during his pre-match press conference yesterday.
“He’s creating the same environment and everyone is hungry. We want to do it again.”
Iwobi has come under some criticism for not being creative enough, but the Fulham midfielder explained that he has been given a much deeper role by head coach Jose Peseiro.
“The coach told us my role and that of Frank Onyeka is to try as much as possible to control the game and defend as a team,” he offered.
“I have been told to manage the ball and keep the ball for my team.
“We have players upfront who can create the chances and score: Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon.”
The match between three-time African champions Nigeria and Angola, who are aiming for their first-ever AFCON semi-final, is scheduled to kick off at 6pm Nigerian time at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abijdan.
