Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has responded to critics for his lack of creative imput in Jose Peseiro’s 3-4-3 formation at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
Since the second group match against host Cote D’Ivoire, Jose Peseiro has switched to a three-man defense, two midfielders, two wing backs and three attackers formation.
The 3-4-3 set up has proved to be effective with three straight victories against Cote D’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau and Cameroon in the second round.
However, Alex Iwobi who partners Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka in midfield, has been criticized for not creating more for the team.
While speaking with the media alongside coach Jose Peseiro ahead of tomorrow’s quarter-finals fixture against Angola, the Fulham midfielder said his job is to control games as much as he can alongisde Onyeka.
He also added that the team has more than enough creative players in the set-up to create goal-scoring chances for the team.
… I mean, you don’t really need much from me when you have creative players upfront. Whether it is Victor (Osimhen), Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman, Simon Moses…
There is a lot of creativity going upfront, so the role me and Frank have been told to do is to control the game as much as we can but first and foremost defend as a team.
Whether it’s me creating or…There’s a lot of other players that can do the job, so I am trying to do my job for the team and like I said anything to help the team win, that’s what I am here to do
Alex Iwobi was involved in the pre-assist leading to Ademola Lookman’s second goal against Cameroon. He also created a brilliant chance for Victor Osimhen in the first match against Equatorial Guinea but the Napoli striker squandered the opportunity.
Iwobi and Frank Onyeka are very likely to start in midfield for the Super Eagles tomorrow against the Palancas Negras as Jose Peseiro has hinted that he’s not changing his set-up.
The meeting between the two sides would the first at the Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria and Angol last met at the 2018 Africa Nations Championship and it ended 2-1 in favour of the Super Eagles after extra time.
