Iwobi Credits Chelle for Super Eagles’ Resurgence at AFCON 2025

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has hailed head coach Eric Chelle and his teammates for their efforts at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where Nigeria finished as the tournament’s highest-scoring side with 14 goals.

Since Chelle’s appointment in January 2024, the Malian tactician has reshaped the team, a transformation that was evident in Morocco as the Eagles recorded five consecutive victories, a feat achieved only once before in the nation’s AFCON history.

Iwobi, who played a key role in Nigeria’s attacking play with his incisive passes, admitted the team fell short of their ultimate target but insisted they still had reasons to be proud.

‘We did not come back with the trophy but we still left with something. Big shout out to everyone in the team, big shout out to the coach, I know the coach, he’s done a lot for us and one thing the coach always demands from us is respect,’ he said.

He praised Chelle’s leadership and the unity within the squad, noting that the players put aside personal ambitions for the collective good.

‘Of course he wanted the team to do well. He has to make decisions and you can’t always please everyone in terms of getting the playing time that they want. The players did well, there was no ego, everybody was working hard. I feel like the coach is the big thing, he got the respect from us, from everyone. We worked hard, he worked hard as well,’ Iwobi added.

Earlier this week, Iwobi, alongside Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze, was welcomed back at Fulham in a lighthearted gauntlet-style reception from his club teammate.