Soccer
Former Montpellier forward John Utaka has called on Alex Iwobi to elevate his performances for the Nigerian national team, urging him to mirror the form he displays at Fulham, Soccernet.ng reports.
The ex-Arsenal midfielder has been a standout for Marco Silva’s side, playing a crucial role in their Premier League campaign.
Iwobi’s impressive season continued on Thursday, with the Nigerian international scoring twice to lead Fulham to a 3-1 victory over Brighton at Craven Cottage.
The brace brought his tally to five goals and three assists in the Premier League this term, equaling his output from last season in just 16 games.
However, the contrast in Iwobi’s performances for the Super Eagles is stark.
Despite featuring in all seven of Nigeria’s matches at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire, where they reached the final, the midfielder failed to register a single goal or assist.
In his last 34 appearances for Nigeria across all competitions, he has managed just one goal and two assists.
Utaka believes Iwobi’s inconsistent displays for the national team stem from a lack of the same determination he shows at club level.
“Alex is a good player; we all know that. But he has to keep the same determination when he comes to the national team because this is the country, not a club side,” Utaka said during an interview with Brila FM.
Utaka further emphasised the unique demands of international football.
“When you come to the national team, you don’t have a year to prepare or play together; you only have about a week. Players have to be even more serious and committed to putting in the work.”
Looking ahead, Iwobi will look to carry his stellar form into Fulham’s clash with Arsenal on Sunday. However, Nigerian fans will be hoping he can soon replicate such performances in the green and white of the Super Eagles.
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