‘You book your flights, no NEPA’ – Iwobi shares differences between playing for England, Nigeria
Iwobi Discusses Contrast Between Playing for Nigeria and England
Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi recently highlighted the differences between his experiences representing Nigeria and England in football. Iwobi, who played for England at various youth levels before committing to Nigeria at the senior level, shared insights during an appearance on the “Beast Mode On” podcast.
In his remarks, Iwobi outlined several disparities, including logistical challenges such as players sometimes needing to pay for their own flights and hotel accommodations. He noted that the atmosphere surrounding the teams differs significantly, particularly regarding structure and scheduling.
“Nigeria and England are two different setups,” Iwobi said. “With England, there’s a strict itinerary—you stick to it, you stick to the time, you’re never late. Obviously, it’s one player to a room, and the fans are a bit more controlled; you sign autographs.”
In contrast, he expressed his affection for representing Nigeria but acknowledged the unpredictability that can arise. “Sometimes you have to book your own flight, sometimes you have to pay for your upgrade. There’s no NEPA (electricity) when that goes,” he remarked, referencing the power shortages in Nigeria.
Despite his contributions to England’s youth teams, Iwobi’s opportunities slowed down at Arsenal, prompting his eventual switch to the Nigerian national team.
