The reinvention of Alex Iwobi, Nigeria’s visionary regista

Attacking duo Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman are receiving many plaudits but Nigeria supporters have been absolutely delighted with central midfielder Alex Iwobi at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

These guys dribbled the hell out of Algeria 😂 pic.twitter.com/zno2PsS8bW

— Dr. Kenon (@drkenon2) January 11, 2026

Well known as the nephew of Nigeria national team legend Jay-Jay Okocha, Iwobi has had a lot of expectations to live up to. Shrugging off a potential national team career with England, where he grew up and played for youth national teams, to represent the Super Eagles was the ultimate move that made him a popular figure with supporters.

But after being credited as a dynamic forward who could operate in a variety of attacking positions during the early days of his club career with Arsenal, Iwobi had all the technical ability but lacked the consistent goal production. He certainly had the talent but the timing was not ideal during a transition period for the Gunners as they attempted to move on from the Arsène Wenger era.

Following a big money move to Everton ahead of the 2019-20 season, high expectations continued while Iwobi’s form was rather unspectacular.

However, playing roles at Everton that required more balance, where he was expected to be more of a presence on the defensive end, laid the foundation for the success that Iwobi is enjoying currently. The more attacking responsibilities that were placed at Iwobi’s feet for Everton and Nigeria, the more inconsistent his form was.

With the Super Eagles, Iwobi did well for a while in more of a central attacking midfield or #10 role when Nigeria finished third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. But over time a lack of goal involvements for his country and the theme of inconsistency surrounding the team made Iwobi the target of criticism, which reached deafening volume when he received a red card only seven minutes after coming on as a substitute during a Round of 16 defeat to Tunisia at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

But two years later was when it all began to come together for Iwobi. After a 2022-23 season with Everton where he enjoyed his best season to date, he was often utilized in the central midfield role we see him in now while playing every match that season for the Toffees. After completing a transfer to current club Fulham ahead of the 2023-24 season, Iwobi re-established himself as a star for Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations played in early 2024.

The Super Eagles, whose supporters did not expect much from the tournament played in Ivory Coast, produced a surprise run to the final before falling to the hosts. Paired with defensive midfield engine Frank Onyeka, Iwobi grew more comfortable with a deeper-lying role that gave him plenty of freedom while having a midfield partner who could handle the bulk of the ball-winning duties.

The statistic that stands out from that tournament in Ivory Coast is that Iwobi’s average pass length was greater than any other central midfielder at the competition. Whenever Nigeria won the ball in their end, the defensive unit immediately looked for Iwobi whose accurate long passes could quickly find the deadly pace of attackers Osimhen, Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze.

In many ways, Iwobi looks far different from the player he was in his early days. As a veteran player now, his switch to a central midfield role for his nation is a natural progression we see from so many attackers who settle into a different role as their pace and stamina declines. In tactical terms, Iwobi resembles a regista, an Italian term used to describe players like Andrea Pirlo…central midfielders who take on a major role as a distributor while paired with other midfielders who can do more of the running and “dirty work”.

Iwobi certainly was still finding his feet in the central midfield position in Ivory Coast as he figured out how to adjust to his role with the Super Eagles, but now in Morocco he has fully mastered the role. When coach Eric Chelle wants Iwobi to be more efficient and hold possession, the Fulham player is able to shine. When Chelle wants Iwobi to be more ambitious with his passing, he is certainly more than up to the task as well. In fact, it appears the team performs best when Iwobi is actively looking to make the decisive pass.

Alex Iwobi is pulling the strings for Nigeria 🫡

The Super Eagles’ midfield general has completed 46 defence-splitting passes at AFCON, more than double than any of his teammates 🎩🪄 pic.twitter.com/yjp0Xu8uv2

— LiveScore (@livescore) January 10, 2026

Coach Chelle has given Iwobi even more support this time around in the midfield. With Onyeka back to provide energy and pester the opposition, captain Wilfred Ndidi is another calm and strong defensive presence who understands how to make his teammates better without the ball.

Chelle’s tactical masterclass has provided ways to give Iwobi even more freedom and time on the ball. This decision, along with the coach’s brilliant choice to feature Lookman in a more withdrawn attacking role behind forwards Osimhen and Akor Adams, has completely transformed Nigeria into a dangerous team that looks nothing like the side that failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

With two assists in the group stage, Iwobi’s incisive pass from the midfield against Algeria set the stage for the Super Eagles to finish the job in a dominant 2-0 Round of 16 victory. His assist on the first goal in Nigeria’s 2025 AFCON debut against Tanzania was also an example of his advanced technique with a perfectly weighted cross.

Now the last task for Iwobi is to cement himself in Super Eagles history to join his uncle. While Jay-Jay won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations along with a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics, Alex’s runner-up finish at the 2023 AFCON is the best achievement to date from his national team career. However, with full backing from the Super Eagles supporters and a system that utilizes his best attributes, the time could be now for Iwobi’s big moment on the African stage in Morocco.