Alex Iwobi is hoping that he will be invited to play at the Olympics with Nigeria, and if he is he will do his best ‘to make a meaningful contribution’.
The youngster made his full competitive debut for the Super Eagles when they played Egypt in their ACN qualifying double-header.
They weren’t able to do enough to ensure that they will be participating in the tournament, but they will be at the Olympics in Rio.
“I am looking forward to the forthcoming Olympics, and if I am invited, I will do my best to make a meaningful contribution,” Alex told Goal Nigeria.
“I believe that Nigeria has a crop of excellent players who are capable of doing great things at the Olympics. Coach Samson Siasia deserves a lot of praise for securing a place for the nation at the Olympics.
“I do not have any regrets whatsoever in opting to play for Nigeria and will always do my best whenever I put on the green, white, green colours of Nigeria. I hope to be involved in the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers too.”
England allegedly made a last-gasp bid to get Iwobi to change his international allegiance before he made his competitive debut for Nigeria, but the forward, who came through the ranks at Arsenal’s Academy, was not for moving.
Should Iwobi participate in the Olympics, he will likely miss the start of Arsenal’s new season and will definitely miss pre-season, something that could cost him over the course of 16/17.
He’s young, keen and wants to play all the games.
Someone somewhere needs to be on top of things and make sure he’s managed properly to prevent burnout before he’s made it out of his 20s.