Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi has opened up about the stark contrast between Nigeria and England's football organisations, revealing he once had to book his own flights and find his way to team hotels during national duty.
Speaking about his early experiences with the Nigeria under-23 team, the 29-year-old described multiple logistical challenges that made him hesitant about committing to the Super Eagles.
"When you get there, sometimes the people at the airport are not ready to pick you up, so you have to make your own way," Iwobi explained, comparing the setup unfavourably to England's structured programme at St. George's Park. He also noted issues with hotel facilities, including power outages and lack of charging points, as well as the absence of strict access controls that exist in the English setup.
Despite these initial reservations, Iwobi ultimately chose Nigeria following persuasion from his uncle and father. The former Arsenal player, who qualifies for Nigeria through his parents, said growing up in a Nigerian household made the decision feel natural. "It took a lot of convincing at the time… but I have no regrets," he stated, having now earned over 70 caps for the Super Eagles since his senior debut in 2015.