Eagles’ defeat to Argentina, Algeria were big morale blow – Iwobi

Super Eagles star Alex Iwobi insists defeat to Argentina and Algeria at the 2018 World Cup and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations respectively were big blow to the morale of the team.

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Alex Iwobi explains why he snubbed England and chose to represent Nigeria Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi has revealed why he chose to represent Nigeria rather than England. Iwobi decided to switch his international allegiance from England to Nigeria by playing a cap-tying game for Nigeria in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt in March 2016, despite representing England at U16, U17 and U18 levels. Iwobi said that though he was well treated by the English Football Association, however, he had to choose Nigeria because of his heritage. "I will always have my respect for England, when I played for England they gave a great opportunity, they treat me very well," said Iwobi, who is the nephew to African football legend Jay-Jay Okocha, on Instagram Live. "However, I feel like I am a true Nigerian, I grew up in the Nigerian culture and when I had the opportunity to go back I felt more at home playing for Nigeria. "I felt at home playing for England as well," said Iwobi who has an impressive 40 international caps under his belt before turning 24 years old. Iwobi also admitted it was difficult choosing Nigeria over the Three Lions as he received his footballing education in England. … . Read Full Story From the Link in Bio #lucipost #explore #explorepage #celebrities #celebrity #naijanews #nigerianews #alexiwobi #iwobi #sport #sports #sportsnews #football #supereagles #naijacelebrity #naijacelebrities #nigeriacelebrity #nigeriacelebrities

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The Super Eagles took on the Albaceleste of Argentina in their last group game of 2018  FIFA World Cup in Russia, needing only a point from the game to secure passage into the round of 16.

However, Marcos Rojo’s volley four minutes from time gave the round of tickets to the South Africans the winner.

Almost twelve months later, the Super Eagles were knocked out of the race to win the 2019 African cup of when Riyad Mahrez scored a stoppage-time free-kick to send Algeria to the final.

Speaking on Instagram Live, Iwobi said both defeats were difficult to accept.

“Both of them were serious heartbreaks, to describe that feeling is painful. The Argentina one, it was hurtful because I saw how much effort we put in, how much we’ve been training so hard, the qualifiers we’ve done our best. It was Rojo that was able to get the goal.

“It’s nice to play but when you don’t play you still support the team as equally as if you’re playing, that one hurt. “I remember all of us were head down in the changing room.

The former Arsenal star continued: “The Algeria one where I participated, last free-kick of the game, that one was really painful because we did all our best.

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“You cannot blame anyone, at the end of the day we win as a team we lose as our team. We have to congratulate Mahrez because the free-kick caught everyone off guard, it caught everyone by surprise.

“Both experiences were very tough for the team but we move on and go again, that’s the mentality we have. We can’t dwell on our past, we have to put things right in the future,” Iwobi submitted.