The Fulham midfielder’s 329th Premier League appearance, against Aston Villa, took him past Salah, and he is now 24 games from equalling the African record.
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Alex Iwobi has moved into outright second place among African players with the most Premier League appearances after featuring in Fulham’s 1-1 draw at Aston Villa. The Super Eagles midfielder made his 329th appearance in England’s top flight, one more than Mohamed Salah’s total of 328.
Only Kolo Touré, with 353 appearances for Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool, is now ahead of him. Iwobi needs 24 more games to equal the Ivorian’s record and 25 to pass it.
The 30-year-old reached the milestone a week after he had drawn level with Salah in Fulham’s 1-0 win over Coventry City. Fulham’s trip to Villa Park gave him the chance to move clear.
Iwobi has played 100 Premier League games for Arsenal, 123 for Everton and 106 for Fulham. Fans who like to follow Fulham can check Premier League lines at Bet9ja before the next game.
A Record Within Reach
Iwobi is the first African player to reach 100 league appearances for three different Premier League clubs. That says plenty about his consistency.
He is also the first Nigerian to reach 300 Premier League appearances. He has long passed the Nigerian marks set by Nwankwo Kanu and Shola Ameobi.
The NFF congratulated him after he drew level with Salah. Its statement said it would be very happy to see him become the African with the most appearances in the Premier League in the near future.
How long will the record take? Fulham have around 29 league games left, so the numbers say he can do it this season if he stays fit and keeps playing. Readers can also check this Bet9ja promotion code primer for EPL fans before the next round.
Fulham’s Consistent Midfielder
Iwobi has been a regular for Fulham since joining from Everton in 2023. He has played nine league games this season, so he is on track.
Few players show this kind of reliability. It takes fitness, form and the trust of a manager, and Iwobi has had all three for years.
Fulham’s next game is at home to Newcastle on Saturday, November 7. A start would take him to 330.
Is this the most consistent run of his career? His numbers suggest it could be. Readers who follow Nigerian players abroad can also claim YOHAIG code for Premier League punters before the next fixtures.
A record like Touré’s takes time. It also takes luck with injuries, and Iwobi has stayed fit across many seasons.
For Nigerian fans, the target is clear. If Iwobi keeps playing, the record could fall before the season ends.
📌 Did You Know?
- Iwobi is a nephew of Nigeria legend Jay-Jay Okocha.
- He came through Arsenal’s academy and made his first-team debut in 2015.
- Everton signed him from Arsenal in 2019 for a reported fee of up to £34 million.
- He joined Fulham on a free transfer in 2023.
- Behind Iwobi and Salah on the African list, Jordan Ayew and Wilfried Zaha both sit on 305 appearances.
