Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has lifted the lid on the emotional and psychological engine driving the Nigeria’s perfect run at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, crediting brotherhood, unity and shared purpose for a campaign that has so far been flawless, Soccernet.ng reports.
Iwobi’s comments come as Nigeria prepare to face AFCON 2025 hosts Morocco in a mouthwatering semifinal clash at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Wednesday.
The Super Eagles have been the tournament’s most convincing team so far, winning all five of their matches, scoring a competition-high 14 goals and setting a new national record for goals scored in a single AFCON campaign.
Victories over Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Mozambique and Algeria have carried them into the last four as one of the clear favourites for the title.
Speaking during the pre-match press conference ahead of the semi-final, Iwobi said the team’s success has been built less on tactics and more on the strong bond within the squad.
“For me I feel it is the family environment we have created, the brotherhood within the team. Everyone cares about how the other feels, we are united and all pushing in the same direction to make sure we succeed on pitch,” he said.
The Fulham midfielder has been a key figure in Nigeria’s midfield throughout the tournament, as the Super Eagles have combined attacking flair with growing control and maturity in their performances.
Iwobi believes the foundations for the current run were laid at the previous AFCON, where Nigeria reached the final with a younger squad.
“From the previous AFCON where we performed very well, we were a bit young but you realize now everyone is entering their prime and performing well both at club and the national team.”
Nigeria’s 14 goals in Morocco already surpass the 12 they scored at the 2000 edition of the tournament, previously their most prolific AFCON campaign.
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World Cup disappointment driving Super Eagles’ hunger
Iwobi also suggested that the failure to qualify for the World Cup has played a significant role in shaping the team’s mentality in Morocco, giving the squad added motivation and focus.
“I feel like everybody has this task ahead that we want to win every game. Obviously we wanted to qualify for the World Cup but it did not happen and we are trying to use that disappointment as a push factor for ourselves and our country.”
Since the start of the tournament, Iwobi has been publishing video diaries from Nigeria’s camp on his YouTube channel. He said the aim was to show the human side of the players and strengthen the bond within the group.
“My intention was to control my narrative because obviously everyone sees the football side but I’m trying to show that we are equally human, we have the fun side.
“There is a lot of characters, lots of personalities but when we go to the pitch, we go for war, we fight and make sure we give our best. I hope everyone out there is enjoying the content.”
Nigeria will face Morocco on Wednesday evening at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with the winner advancing to Sunday’s final. The other semi-final will be contested between Senegal and Egypt.
