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Former Super Eagles midfielder and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations hero, Sunday Mba, has heaped praise on Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi for his impressive form at club level while voicing concerns over the state of the national team.
Iwobi, who has been a standout performer under Marco Silva at Fulham, has registered three goals and three assists so far this season.
Mba, reflecting on the midfielder’s performances, shared his admiration for Iwobi’s impact but noted the difficulty in replicating such form with the Super Eagles.
“I’m enjoying what he’s doing week in, week out,” Mba said on Brila’s FM No Holds Barred interview.
“He is playing and making an impact, as everyone can see. But with the national team, I think the problem is that they don’t spend enough time together. Most of the time, they only have 10 or 14 days in camp, so there’s little opportunity to blend like at a club.”
Mba, who famously scored Nigeria’s winning goal in the 2013 AFCON final against Burkina Faso, lamented the lack of cohesion in the Super Eagles, citing the short preparation periods as a major reason why players struggle to translate their club form to international duty.
He also raised concerns about the atmosphere in the Super Eagles camp, describing it as too relaxed and distracted.
“The concentration in the camp is low; the camp is too loose,” Mba said. “It looks like a content creation center. A lot is happening in the camp, and it’s affecting the players’ focus.”
Mba’s comments underline growing frustrations from fans and former players, as the Super Eagles continue to struggle for consistency despite boasting an array of talented stars playing across Europe.
