Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has identified Alex Iwobi as Nigeria’s standout performer at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, describing the Fulham midfielder as the tactical heartbeat of the team’s impressive run so far.
While Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman have attracted most of the spotlight with goals and assists, Chelle made it clear that Nigeria’s consistency and control have been driven by Iwobi’s intelligence and influence in midfield.
“He smells football” – Chelle’s verdict
Speaking after Nigeria’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Mozambique in the round of 16, Chelle praised Iwobi’s football IQ and ability to read the game ahead of others.
“You know, there are some players, they smell football,” Chelle said. “This guy, Iwobi, he has a big IQ for football. He sees the game before the other players and technically, he’s very good.
“Since the AFCON started, we see that this guy is a very good player. Actually, he is like the team. The most important thing now is to do that every game. I’m very proud of him and the team.”
The quiet force behind Nigeria’s dominance
Operating alongside Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka, Iwobi has been central to Nigeria’s balance, linking defence to attack and dictating tempo.
Against Mozambique, he initiated the first two goals and consistently disrupted the opposition’s defensive shape with early passes and smart positioning.
His influence has been evident throughout the tournament. In Nigeria’s opening 2-1 win over Tanzania, Iwobi provided the assists for the team’s first two goals, underlining his role as the connector in Chelle’s system.
Oliseh backs Chelle’s assessment
Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh echoed Chelle’s view during his commentary on CAF TV, highlighting Iwobi’s contribution to Nigeria’s attacking structure.
“All these started from Iwobi; this is what we call the pre-assist pass. That pass tore the defense apart,” Oliseh said. “The goal is what we talk about, but it is the pass that comes before the assist.”
Eyes on the quarter-finals
Nigeria’s dominant win over Mozambique secured their place in the quarter-finals and delivered their first clean sheet of the tournament.
The Super Eagles will now head to Marrakech for their quarter-final clash against Algeria on Saturday.