Alex Iwobi has been one of Nigeria's standout performers at the AFCON 2025 tournament, and his father, Chuba Iwobi, has been around in Morocco to support him, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 29-year-old is the nephew of former Super Eagles captain Jay-Jay Okocha. The Fulham midfielder is one of the senior players for the three-time AFCON winners, racking up 93 appearances.
Only Joseph Yobo (101), Vincent Enyeama (101), and Ahmed Musa (111) have racked up more caps than the former Everton man.
Although he was born in Nigeria, Iwobi moved to England when he was eight months old and played for England at the youth level before opting to play for the Super Eagles in 2015.
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Chuka Iwobi reflects on Alex's career, speaks on Okocha's comparison
Alex Iwobi was born into a football family. His uncle Jay-Jay Okocha rocked the football world with his incredible skills while his father played for several clubs in Nigeria before moving to England.
The Hale End Academy Graduate is the Nigerian with the most Premier League appearances (307), more than Shola Ameobi (298), Kanu Nwankwo (273), Yakubu Aiyegbeni (252), and John Obi Mikel (249).
Chuba admitted he always wanted a son who would play football professionally, but Alex's feat is bigger than he ever imagined.
“I've been supporting Alex since he was young. Looking at him, I had hoped that if I had a son, he would love football, but in terms of how far he would go, I had no clue,” Iwobi snr told Molatsportsgist.
“These kinds of things, you can't predict. I played football when I was younger. I played for a few teams in Nigeria, and I'm proud of his achievements so far, and I personally think there's more to come from him.
“Uncle Jay-Jay has been sort of an inspiration to him, to the family, to Nigerians, and right from when Alex was at the Arsenal academy, we used to go to Bolton, where Jay-Jay was and then watch him.
“Alex has his own style of play, but is also influenced by the skills and the technical ability of his uncle, and Jay-Jay has always been there for him.
Father: A former footballer
Mother: Okocha's older sister
Two uncles: Former Nigeria internationals Austin and Emmanuel OKOCHAAlex Iwobi's journey from a toddler to football star. #FamilyAffair pic.twitter.com/OTSEW4nNtO
— Olúwashínà Okeleji (@oluwashina) April 19, 2019
Although both played in similar positions across different generations, it's impossible for people not to compare their performances on the pitch, considering the family ties.
Chuba maintained that while some form of comparison is healthy, the downsides have forced Alex to be mentally strong.
“You see, in the game of football, you always have to be mentally strong, and you have to take the rough edge with a smooth pact.
“There's always going to be challenges. I mean, at a certain point in time, he didn't play to his maximum, but what it is for Alex is that he's always his own person, although Jay-Jay is his uncle.
“There were times he's been told he wasn't as good as his uncle, but not everyone can be as good as Jay-Jay.
“For the very fact that at 29, he has over 300 appearances in the Premier League, not counting cups, and about 93 in the national team, that shows there is something in him
“I can say that any coach he plays under will always put him in the starting line-up because he offers a different kind of value to the team. He has been a great player.
“He always gives his best for the country, he loves the country, and we're proud Nigerians
Alex Iwobi: Choosing Nigeria over England
Iwobi made his debut for the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a loss to DR Congo in October 2015, coming on for the final 33 minutes of the game under Sunday Oliseh, aged 19 years, 5 months, 5 days.
His father revealed he wanted his son to play for the three-time AFCON winners, but didn't force him to make the choice.
“When Alex came to Nigeria for the first time, he was 18, and I was the one who took him there.
“At the time, the mindset was for him to come and have a look because he got the invitation from Samson Sia Sia for the Olympic team.
“I said to him, ‘Let's go, but it's going to be your decision'. When he went there, the welcome he got from the fans, the team and the nation was resounding.
“He saw a different kind of atmosphere where there's so much fun, laughter and prayers.
“Although I did tell him if it was down to me, he'd go back to Nigeria because that's where his roots are,” Chuba concluded.
