Alex Iwobi faced a series of criticisms during and after the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and was kept away from social media.
Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has been heavily criticized for his performance with the Nigeria national team in the recent African Cup of Nations tournament, Soccernet.ng reported.
Critics have pointed to his lack of creativity, tendency to focus on defense rather than attack, and inability to create scoring chances in AFCON matches.
When asked, Iwobi said he followed Super Eagles coach Jose Peceiro’s instructions to retain the ball, especially in the midfield.
Fulham star, Alex Iwobi, has not been very creative in Nigeria’s 2023 AFCON campaign, which has led to backlash from the Nigerian football community.
When asked about it, the former Arsenal striker said he was simply following instructions given to him…pic .twitter.com/oYNvp4sNw0
– Zachary Kilaku (@ayo_oguntimehin) 1 2024 days 2 月 p>
After the AFCON final against Ivory Coast, Iwobi was subjected to cyberbullying but received support from his teammates, the Nigeria Football Federation and some members of the Nigerian football community.
Should Alex Iwobi bear the blame?
A former Arsenal striker, Iwobi usually provides assists behind the striker and takes advantage of scoring opportunities. However, during his time at Everton under manager Frank Lampard, he showed his adaptability by excelling in midfield.
During AFCON 2023, Peseiro initially used a 4-3-3 system, but switched to a 3-4-3 formation late in the tournament. This tactical change forced Iwobi to take on more defensive duties and limited his offensive contributions.
How has Iwobi responded to the criticism?
Despite the backlash, Iwobi appears unfazed, as he has kept his social media activity to a minimum and focused on his duties at Fulham. He is expected to return to action at Fulham and contribute in future games.
