Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle and midfielder Alex Iwobi faced the media on the eve of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Morocco, with the spotlight quickly shifting from tactics to the form and personality of one of the tournament’s standout performers, Soccernet.ng reports.
Chelle had begun by outlining Nigeria’s preparations and approach for the last-four clash, but Iwobi’s influence also dominated a chunk of the conversation.
The Fulham playmaker has been one of the Super Eagles’ most important figures in Morocco, supplying the creative spark for a forward line led by Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams and Victor Osimhen.
While Iwobi has officially recorded two assists in four matches, his impact has gone far beyond the numbers. Nigeria have scored 14 goals at the tournament, more than any other team and just two short of the AFCON record set by Ivory Coast in 2008. And much of the Super Eagles' attacking fluency has flowed through him.
Chelle admitted he has been surprised by the level Iwobi has reached during the competition, while hailing the former Arsenal star's footballing intelligence.
“I didn’t know this guy before I watched his game in Fulham and in the national team, and for me, he is a player who has an IQ, very, very good,” Chelle said.
“Alex has an I.Q. Some players want to just play football, smell, feel the football. This is Alex Iwobi.
“Iwobi wants to play with others, wants to take pressure on the pitch. He has top football IQ and I'm very proud of him.”
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AFCON 2025 Diaries: Chelle on Iwobi's YouTube videos
The Nigeria coach was also asked about Iwobi’s growing presence off the pitch, with the midfielder documenting his AFCON experience through regular videos on his YouTube channel.
The behind-the-scenes clips, often filmed before or after matches, have offered fans a glimpse into the camp and the mood around the squad.
Iwobi had already confirmed he sought permission before starting the series, and Chelle explained why he was happy to approve it.
“There is pressure, and the YouTube thing is a way to let them breathe,” Chelle said.
“Sometimes, he needs to think about other things. It’s an outlet for him and the players.”
The coach even revealed that he occasionally watches the videos himself.
“Me too, you know, after the game, you know you are happy because you win… so you can take two or three minutes per day to watch his channel and laugh with everybody, but it’s very good for the group, very, very good.”
Asked why he chose to tell his own story, Iwobi said:
“I use [it] as a platform to control my own narrative. Everybody wants to see the football side, but at the same time, we're all human. They say you have to focus on football, but I'm trying to show that we're the same as everyone else. We like to enjoy.”
Thursday’s match will be the sixth AFCON meeting between Nigeria and Morocco and their first in 22 years. It is only the second time the sides have met at the semi-final stage, with Nigeria winning 1–0 in 1980. Their first AFCON encounter came in the group stage in 1976.
