Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has opened up about the harsh realities of playing for Nigeria, revealing that players often fund their own flights and endure poor conditions on international duty.
Speaking on a recent podcast, the Fulham midfielder painted a picture of the sacrifices behind the Super Eagles jersey, from unreliable hotel electricity to washing his own training kit.
“I love playing for Nigeria, but you have to pay for your own flight,” Iwobi said. “You get to the hotel, and there’s no electricity. You wash your own kit, the pitch is only half-grass, and if you make one bad pass, the coach is screaming at you. But I love the food.”
Despite the difficulties, Iwobi made clear his commitment to the national team remains unwavering, framing the challenges as part of the price of representing his country.
The 30-year-old is no stranger to sacrifice for the Super Eagles cause. He made his senior debut for Nigeria back in October 2015, coming off the bench in a friendly defeat to DR Congo in Belgium. That appearance marked the start of a journey that has since made him one of the most consistent figures in the national team setup.
Iwobi went on to reach a landmark 100 international caps for Nigeria earlier this year, becoming only the fourth player in the country’s history to hit the milestone, joining Ahmed Musa, Vincent Enyeama and Joseph Yobo in that exclusive club. Along the way, he has scored 10 goals for the Super Eagles and featured at major tournaments including the 2018 World Cup in Russia and three Africa Cup of Nations campaigns, including Nigeria’s runner-up finish in 2023.
The comments from his podcast appearance have since gone viral, with the clip amassing over 2.4 million views and thousands of reactions from fans reacting to the stark contrast between international duty and life at his English Premier League club.
Iwobi’s remarks add to a growing conversation around the welfare and logistical support given to Nigerian players called up for national duty, an issue that has repeatedly surfaced in Super Eagles camps over the years.
The Fulham midfield maestro remains a key figure in Eric Chelle’s squad and is expected to continue playing a central role as Nigeria push forward in their upcoming assignments.
