Iwobi lauds Eagles’  team spirit ahead of semi-final test

Alex Iwobi has  hailed coach Eric Chelle for creating a team spirit which has taken the Super Eagles to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations only two months after their dreams of World Cup qualification were ended in agonising fashion.

The Nigerians take on AFCON hosts Morocco in Rabat tonight, looking to continue the prolific form which has carried them to the last four.

They reached the final of the last Cup of Nations two years ago in Cote d’Ivoire before losing to the hosts, while Iwobi also played in the side that reached the semi-finals in 2019.

But he said a happier environment off the pitch – despite reports of rows with the national football federation over bonuses – was now helping bring out the very best in him and a team in its prime.

“I feel like the difference is the sense of brotherhood, the family environment that we have created for each other,” the 29-year-old Fulham star said at a packed press conference in the Moroccan capital.

“Of course, at previous AFCONs we have done really well. The team was so strong, but at the same time, we were young, and we were learning about each other.

“I feel like right now everybody is entering their prime, everyone is doing well for their clubs, and you can see the joy and the chemistry we have when playing for our country.

“It is not just on the pitch, also off the pitch, there is a big unity, we are a big family. It starts from the coach – he has brought that brotherhood.”

Nigeria limped through their qualifying campaign for the World Cup and saw their dreams of making it to the finals go up in smoke with a play-off defeat on penalties against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rabat in November.

“We have always given 100 per cent,” insisted Iwobi.

“In the World Cup qualifiers, we wanted to win as well, but it was a difficult moment for us, and we have used that disappointment as motivation to go and achieve something for our country, for ourselves, for our families.”