Former Super Eagles defender Sam Sodje has thrown his support behind Alex Iwobi, insisting the Fulham midfielder deserves far more respect for his contributions to Nigerian football and his remarkable consistency at both the club and international level.
Iwobi, who recently turned 30, has quietly built one of the most impressive careers by a Nigerian player in modern football. Since making his Super Eagles debut in 2015, the midfielder has gone on to become one of Nigeria’s most experienced internationals, earning 99 caps and moving within touching distance of Ahmed Musa’s all-time appearance record of 111 matches.
Despite his achievements, Sodje believes Iwobi remains one of the most underrated players to wear the green and white jersey.
Speaking in an interview with Footy-Africa, the former Brentford and Leeds United defender praised the midfielder’s discipline, tactical intelligence, and ability to thrive in one of the world’s toughest leagues.
“I think he has done really well because when he first came into the national team, people questioned his ability because of his uncle, Jay-Jay Okocha,” Sodje said.
“But over the years, he has improved so much because of the career he has built in England. We have to give him a lot of respect.”
Iwobi’s Premier League journey has been historic. The Fulham star has now made 318 appearances in England’s top flight, the highest by any Nigerian player and the third-most by an African in Premier League history.
He also became the first Nigerian footballer to register at least 35 goals and 38 assists in the competition, underlining his longevity and influence at the highest level.
According to Sodje, Iwobi’s success is not just down to talent but also his commitment to structure and tactical discipline.
“To play in the Premier League for that long is not easy,” Sodje added.
“He is a player who follows instructions and plays to a system. That’s why so many managers love working with him.
“His discipline and understanding of the game have made him the player he is today.”
Since breaking into the national team setup, Iwobi has represented Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and helped the Super Eagles secure two Africa Cup of Nations bronze medals as well as a silver medal.
However, the midfielder is yet to lift a major international trophy, while Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the last two FIFA World Cups remains a painful chapter for the current generation of players.
Sodje believes the blame should not fall on the players, arguing that Nigeria’s football authorities failed to maximize what he described as a “golden generation.”
“We had one of the best generations of players Nigeria has ever produced, and I think we blew it,” he said.
“Missing two World Cups in a row denied these players the chance to showcase themselves on the biggest stage. I don’t blame the players I blame the organization.”
