Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has named his dream five-a-side Nigeria team, selecting a star-studded group of former and current internationals while leaving out some notable names.
With Nigeria preparing for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opener against Madagascar, Iwobi was asked during a media interaction to pick five Super Eagles legends and quickly assembled a team packed with experience and creativity.
The Fulham midfielder, who has earned more than 100 caps for Nigeria, went for former goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama as his last line of defence before naming Joseph Yobo, Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu and John Obi Mikel.
“I’ll put Vincent Enyeama in goal, I’ll put Joseph Yobo, I’ll put my uncle Jay-Jay Okocha, Kanu, and I will also put Obi Mikel,” Iwobi said.
The selection brings together players from different generations of Nigerian football, with Enyeama and Yobo providing defensive experience, while Okocha and Kanu add creativity and attacking flair. Mikel completes a midfield built around control and composure.
However, Iwobi’s choices also produced a couple of notable omissions.
Victor Osimhen, Nigeria’s current leading attacking star, did not make the midfielder’s five. Stephen Keshi, the former Super Eagles captain and coach who led Nigeria to Africa Cup of Nations glory in 2013, was also absent from the selection.
Osimhen’s omission is particularly interesting given his place among Nigeria’s leading goalscorers.
The Galatasaray forward is just two goals away from matching Rashidi Yekini’s record as the Super Eagles’ all-time leading scorer.
Other players involved in the media session reportedly included Osimhen in their own dream five-a-side selections.
While the debate over Nigeria’s greatest players continues, Iwobi and his teammates now have a more immediate task: getting their AFCON qualifying campaign off to a winning start.
Nigeria will face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, with Iwobi expected to feature as he closes in on another milestone with the national team.
A 101st appearance would see him draw level with Enyeama on the Super Eagles’ all-time appearance list, while Ahmed Musa remains ahead with 111 caps.
Nigeria will also be seeking to avoid a repeat of their previous meeting with Madagascar.
The island nation defeated the Super Eagles 2-0 in their 2019 encounter, with Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi and Moses Simon among those who featured for Nigeria.
