Alex Iwobi tipped to surpass Ahmed Musa’s Nigeria caps record
Alex Iwobi has the chance to move closer to Nigeria’s all-time appearance record after becoming the fourth player to complete 100 caps for the Super Eagles. Former captain Joseph Yobo believes the Fulham midfielder, now 30, has both the form and commitment needed to go beyond 130 international appearances if he avoids serious injury.
Iwobi joins Nigeria’s century club
Iwobi brought up his 100th Nigeria appearance in the 2-1 friendly loss to Portugal in Leiria on June 10. The Nigeria Football Federation marked the occasion by presenting him with a commemorative shirt before the match.
He is now part of an exclusive group of four players to have reached a century of appearances for Nigeria:
- Ahmed Musa, the current record holder, with 110 caps.
- Joseph Yobo, Nigeria’s first player to reach 100 appearances.
- Vincent Enyeama.
- Alex Iwobi.
Iwobi was born in Nigeria and grew up in England, where he represented England in youth football before committing his senior international future to the Super Eagles. His Nigeria debut came against DR Congo in October 2015.
Since then, he has remained a regular under several national-team managers. He featured at the 2018 World Cup, played in multiple Africa Cup of Nations editions and scored the decisive goal against Zambia in October 2017 that sealed Nigeria’s qualification for the World Cup in Russia.
Reflecting on his latest milestone, Iwobi said reaching 100 Nigeria matches had been demanding, adding that he was thankful to be one of only four players to achieve it.
Yobo sees a route beyond 130 caps
Yobo expects Iwobi’s total to keep rising, pointing to the midfielder’s continued involvement at club level and his approach to international duty. He said he would not be surprised if Iwobi reached 130 caps or more, provided injuries do not interrupt his progress.
The former Everton defender identified several requirements for any player hoping to sustain a long Nigeria career:
- Professional discipline and dedication to the game.
- Consistently strong performances that keep a player in selection contention.
- The ability to cope with competition for places over many years.
- A willingness to report for national duty irrespective of the match, opponent or circumstances.
Yobo said the standard needed to remain in the squad cannot be maintained without discipline, particularly in a competitive international setup where coaches have alternative options.
His own career provides a reference point. Yobo represented Nigeria for more than a decade, played at the 2002, 2010 and 2014 World Cups, and appeared in six Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. He captained the Super Eagles to their 2013 AFCON triumph, became the country’s first centurion and retired from international football following the 2014 World Cup.
Yobo also recalled that players of his generation sometimes faced pressure around Africa Cup of Nations call-ups, with European clubs reluctant to lose key players during the domestic season. He said he and others always chose Nigeria, even when that decision could affect their club position on their return.
Qualifiers offer Iwobi and Simon immediate opportunities
Iwobi has been selected by Eric Chelle for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Madagascar on Friday and Guinea-Bissau four days later. Those matches offer him an immediate opportunity to begin adding to his total of 100 appearances.
Paris FC forward Moses Simon could also enter the same elite group. Simon is on 99 caps and has been included in the squad for the two qualifiers, meaning an appearance would make him Nigeria’s fifth centurion.
Yobo believes both players’ milestones should receive formal recognition from the federation. He said the achievement merited celebration and suggested that an upcoming home fixture could provide an opportunity to honour them, while also showing younger Nigeria players that sustained international service is valued.
