Alex Iwobi spoke out on two fronts after Nigeria’s March international window, publicly welcoming new Super Eagles faces Emmanuel Fernandez and Chibuike Nwaiwu while owning his red card moment against Jordan with a direct apology to the nation.
Alex Iwobi left the March international window with 99 caps for Nigeria and a lot to say. Speaking on the Alexander Yaa Digg podcast, the Fulham midfielder reflected on Nigeria’s 2-1 win over Iran in Antalya on March 27, praised two players making their Super Eagles bows in that match, and addressed the moment in the 2-2 draw with Jordan on March 31 that earned him an early exit and a wave of criticism back home.
Nigeria’s victory over Iran was their first in regulation time since beating Algeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Moses Simon and Akor Adams put the Eagles two goals up before Mehdi Taremi cut it back to 2-1. It was not comfortable, and Iwobi acknowledged that Iran made it hard. “Credit to Iran, they are a good solid team. There were spells where they controlled a lot of possession,” he said. “Credit to us, we got the two goals we needed to win the game.”
Fans backing Nigeria in their remaining World Cup qualifier fixtures can check out the Bet9ja’s YOHAIG welcome bonus before the next round of matches.
Fernandez and Nwaiwu Pass Their First Test
The bigger talking point from the Iran game, at least from Iwobi’s perspective, was what happened in the second half with the two debutants. Rangers defender Emmanuel Fernandez replaced Semi Ajayi at the break, coming in at a moment when Nigeria needed to hold their lead. Chibuike Nwaiwu, who only got the call after Calvin Bassey pulled out of the squad, came on in the 57th minute. Both players were making their senior international debuts, and both delivered.
Iwobi didn’t hold back. “Shout out to the two centre-backs that played the second half, making their debuts, they did well, they did solid,” he said. “It was a good performance. The main thing is that we won, that gives us a confidence boost.” That kind of endorsement from a senior player carries genuine weight in a dressing room, and it matters even more when it comes publicly.
Nwaiwu’s call-up was a last-minute one. Getting thrust into a competitive international environment with almost no preparation time and holding firm is exactly the kind of audition that can change a career trajectory. Fernandez too, stepping in at halftime of a game where Nigeria still had a lead to protect, handled the responsibility without drama. Super Eagles fans looking to follow these new faces throughout the qualifiers can read more at FootballInNigeria.com.ng, and also grab the Bet9ja referral code before the next qualifier window opens.
Iwobi’s Red Card: The Apology That Had to Come
Four days after the Iran win, Nigeria faced Jordan in another friendly and drew 2-2. Iwobi played 31 minutes but was dismissed after reacting to Jordan midfielder Amer Jamous holding him back. It was a rash moment, the kind that happens in football but one that a player of Iwobi’s experience and seniority can’t afford. He knew it, and he said so clearly.
“I need to address what I did and apologise to all my Nigeria teammates, staff, and everyone who cares about Nigeria,” Iwobi said. “My actions were not good enough, and I got sent off.” He didn’t try to explain it away or deflect to what Jamous did. He took it directly. “I have to learn and move on. I want to apologise for the mistake.”
There’s something worth noting in how he framed the Jordan result alongside the apology. Nigeria drew, they didn’t lose. They didn’t concede any defeats across either friendly. Iwobi chose to take the positives where they existed while not using them as cover for his own error. That’s the kind of self-awareness a leader brings. At 99 caps, one short of a milestone that very few Nigerians have reached, Iwobi clearly understands what the Eagles shirt means and what letting the team down costs. New readers tracking the Super Eagles journey to the 2026 World Cup can also follow Nigerian football coverage and access the Bet9ja welcome bonus for the qualifier fixtures ahead.
📌 Did You Know?
- Alex Iwobi is the nephew of Jay-Jay Okocha, one of the most celebrated Nigerian footballers of all time, and grew up watching his uncle play for Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League.
- Emmanuel Fernandez, who debuted against Iran, plays for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership, making him part of the same Scottish football scene currently featuring fellow Nigerian Kelechi Iheanacho at Celtic.
- Nigeria’s 2-1 win over Iran on March 27 was staged in Antalya, Turkey, a city that has become a popular neutral venue for international friendlies due to its facilities and central location between Europe and Asia.
- Mehdi Taremi, who scored Iran’s consolation goal, is one of the most recognised strikers in Asian football, with a career that has included stints at Porto and Inter Milan in European club football.
- The Super Eagles’ draw with Jordan on March 31 was their second 2-2 result in recent international windows, reflecting a pattern of Nigeria finding ways to score but also conceding late or equalising goals in friendlies.
- Calvin Bassey’s late withdrawal from the March squad opened the door for Chibuike Nwaiwu’s surprise call-up, a reminder of how quickly international football careers can begin when circumstances align unexpectedly.
- Reaching 100 caps for Nigeria would place Iwobi among the country’s most capped players ever, a list that includes Ahmed Musa, Joseph Yobo, and Nwankwo Kanu, all of whom passed the century mark during their international careers.
