Pinnick: Iwobi’s Super Eagles Switch Saved His Career, Abraham’s U-Turn Still Hurts

Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick has claimed that Alex Iwobi’s decision to represent the Super Eagles saved his international career, insisting the midfielder would have stopped playing for England years ago had he rejected Nigeria.

Speaking on ThePlayzone and Dangolo Way podcast, Pinnick reflected on his efforts during his tenure to secure the allegiance of England-born players with Nigerian roots.

He revealed that Aston Villa striker Tammy Abraham once agreed to play for Nigeria before making a late U-turn to commit to the Three Lions.

‘Iwobi is playing for the Super Eagles today. I know the role we played. If Iwobi had played for England, he would have stopped playing for England like five or six years ago,’ Pinnick said.

‘If your football club does not help you, your national team helps you. Look at his display in the last Africa Cup of Nations.’

On Abraham, Pinnick expressed regret over the striker’s decision.

‘Tammy Abraham, we sat like this. We had agreed that he was going to come and play, but at the last minute he changed his mind. Now he’s 28 and has gone back to Aston Villa, but I can tell you that I regret it. I speak to his father, we grew up together. He would have played for Nigeria. Agbonlahor, played three games and that was it,’ he explained.

Abraham, who has 11 caps for England, has not featured for the national team since 2022.