Ahead of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 semi-final fixture against hosts Morocco on Wednesday evening, Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi delivered a wide-ranging and deeply revealing press conference.
Speaking alongside head coach Eric Chelle, the Fulham star addressed everything from Nigeria’s mindset, team unity, travel fatigue and injuries, to his personal form, criticism, leadership role and even his much-talked-about AFCON YouTube diary.
“This Is a Big Game, a Semi-Final” – Alex Iwobi
Iwobi began by underlining the magnitude of the encounter, stressing that Nigeria are fully aware of the challenge posed by Morocco after their 2–0 quarter-final victory over Algeria.
“No, this is a big game, semi-final. We played our last game against Algeria. It was a good game for us, now a big game against a big team.”
He explained that preparations were still ongoing, with one final training session before matchday.
“So we will enter slowly in this game because we have a last training session today. We will be ready for tomorrow.”
Respect for Opponents, Excitement for the Challenge
Iwobi echoed the coach’s message of respect for all opponents, making it clear that Nigeria are not taking Morocco lightly.
“The coach has said we did well against Algeria. We respect every opponent. Algeria was very good, but now we’re excited with the challenge we have tomorrow.”
“We’ll prepare and hopefully we’ll be ready for the game.”
Iwobi Speaks on Ndidi’s Absence and Squad Confidence
Although Wilfred Ndidi will miss the semi-final, Iwobi is confident in those ready to step in and backed the strength and depth of the Super Eagles squad.
“I’m disappointed for him because he brings so much for the team, but we are a group.”
“There are some players, some very good players who are on the pitch and wait for a change to show something that they can bring us.”
“So I’m very confident about that.”
Iwobi on What Makes This AFCON Different
Having represented Nigeria for over a decade, Iwobi was asked what makes AFCON 2025 special for him. His answer focused firmly on unity and togetherness.
While reflecting on previous tournaments, he noted the team’s growth and maturity.
“For me, I feel like the difference is the sense of brotherhood, the family environment that we’ve created for each other.”
“The previous AFCONs, we’ve done really well. The team have been so strong, but at the same time, the team was young and we were learning about each other.”
“I feel like right now, everybody’s entering their prime. Everyone’s doing well, respectfully, for their clubs.”
He added:
“You can see the joy and the chemistry that we have. When we’re playing for our country, it’s not just on the pitch, but also off the pitch.”
“There’s a big unity. There’s a big family. It starts from the coach, as well as the players.”
“You can see on the pitch that we’re fighting for each other. I feel like that’s bringing out the best, not just in me, but in all the players.”
World Cup Qualifiers vs AFCON
Addressing comparisons between Nigeria’s struggles in World Cup qualifiers and their AFCON resurgence, Iwobi rejected the idea of a changed mentality.
“I think, no matter if it is the World Cup qualifiers, AFCON, we have always given 100%.”
He explained that past disappointment became fuel rather than a setback.
“With this disappointment, we kind of used it as motivation to go and achieve something for our country, for ourselves, for our family.”
“I can’t pinpoint where it is to say there is something different. I just know we have the same mindset, the same mentality, and the same application.”
“The same attitude we had in the World Cup qualifiers is the same we have in the AFCON.”
Form, Leadership and Silencing Critics
On his standout performances at the tournament, Iwobi remained grounded, insisting team success comes first.
“I don’t really look online to see what is happening. I let my team handle that.”
“I have been getting responses from my close ones, my friends, my family, my staff saying that I have been doing really well.”
“It is nice that I guess I am getting recognition, but I just focus on the team trying to win.”
On playing multiple roles throughout his career, he added:
“One thing about me is that I will always do my best no matter what.”
“Ola Aina is a Big Miss” – Alex Iwobi Speaks on Aina’s Absence
Iwobi admitted missing his close friend Ola Aina but praised the defenders who have stepped up.
“Ola is a big miss, he is a big character on and off the pitch and we know how much quality he is.”
“At the same time, our right-backs in Bright and Ryan, they have done so well, so it is almost like we haven’t missed Ola.”
“Of course, Ola is a very good player, but at the same time, so is Bright, so is Ryan.”
“We have quality right-backs, we have quality defenders, so that is the great thing about Nigeria.”
“Even though one player is missing, we have got quality players in many different positions. Of course, Ola is one of my best friends in football, so I do miss him as well.”
He revealed Aina remains in constant contact with the squad.
“He has been messaging me, he has been staying in touch. The main thing now is that he is back fit and he is playing for his club side, but he is also rooting for us.”
“He is also messaging us and saying, I hope you do well.”
“Of course, he is missed, but he is still with us in spirit.”
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“No Excuses” – Alex Iwobi Travel Fatigue
Addressing Nigeria’s demanding travel schedule across Morocco, Iwobi was emphatic.
Of course, it is very demanding on our bodies with the travels that we have been doing,but we are professional footballers.
“We cannot use travel as an excuse. We have to adapt tothe circumstances. It is one thing that we have in our camp and it is a message we say all the time,that it does not matter how you are physically, you have to make sure you are mentally ready.”
“The coach says it to us all the time. It is about our state of mind. Of course,if we are 100 per cent, we give 100.”
“If we are 80 per cent, we give 80 per cent. We make surethat we do our best, no matter how we are feeling.”
“Of course, we can say the travel this, accommodation that, but one thing about us, we will not use it as an excuse and we will always go out and doour best, no matter what.”
AFCON YouTube Diary: “Not a Distraction”
Iwobi also addressed his popular AFCON YouTube diary, which has won over Nigerian fans.
“Honestly, with my YouTube, I use it as a platform to control my own narrative, to showcase people that, of course, everyone wants to see the football side, but at the same time, we are all humans.”
“They will say you have to focus on football, you cannot live, but I am trying to show that we are the same as everyone here.”
“We like to enjoy it, of course, but when we are on the pitch, we are going to war, ready to fight for each other, but through my YouTube, we can show that there is a lot of characters, a lot of personalities.”
“With the AFCON diaries, of course, Troost-Ekong was doing it before and he gave you a lot of insight on what everybody is like.”
“You can almost say I am carrying the same legacy, but I am having my own little spin on it. I am enjoying the YouTube, I hope everyone is enjoying it so you can see what Nigeria is really like.”
He dismissed claims of distraction.
“The players are enjoying it, the coach is giving me permission to do so as well, he is enjoying it, but one thing about us, of course, they will say distraction, distraction, but when we are on the pitch, we are ready to fight, so it is not a distraction at all.”
