Iwobi ready to face ‘big brother’ Aubameyang

Alex Iwobi says Nigeria’s efforts to reach the 2026 Fifa World Cup have been “resurrected from the dead” following an ominously poor start that saw the Super Eagles take just three points from their first four qualifiers.

A campaign that involved home draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, three different coaches and several injuries to talismanic striker Victor Osimhen eventually ended in salvation thanks to an injury-time goal in their final group game against Benin.

That strike by Brentford’s Frank Onyeka gave the West Africans a 4-0 victory that saw them sneak into the African play-offs on goal difference as runners up in Group C.

But Nigeria face a new challenge on Thursday – how to stop Iwobi’s former Arsenal team-mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang when they meet Gabon in their play-off semi-final (16:00 GMT) in Morocco.

“He’s getting on, but you wouldn’t think that. He’s a youthful guy,” Iwobi told BBC Sport Africa when discussing the 36-year-old Gabon skipper.

Aubameyang has already bagged seven goals in World Cup qualifying, including four in one game against The Gambia, as Gabon finished a point behind holders Ivory Coast in their group.

And the Marseille striker will be motivated by the possibility of leading his nation to the World Cup for the first time.

Iwobi, who played alongside Aubameyang for the Gunners during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, added: “We both have the same goal and we both respect that, but he’s such a great person off the pitch as well.

“I was his little brother. He was taking care of me. He used to talk to me, have banter, just make sure I feel comfortable.

“On the pitch, he always said to me, ‘Alex, just express yourself, be you’.

After missing out on top spot to South Africa in Group C, which would have guaranteed automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States, Nigeria now face a difficult path to reach the finals.

They must beat Gabon and then the winner of Thursday’s other play-off between Cameroon and DR Congo (19:00 GMT) to progress to an intercontinental qualifier which will be held in March.

Should Nigeria reach that stage, their world ranking should see them play one match against an opponent from Asia, Oceania, South America or the Concacaf (North, Central America and Caribbean) region.

The winners will then take their place at the expanded 48-team tournament.

After Nigeria missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Iwobi is keen to return to the international game’s biggest stage.

“Giving ourselves another chance to go into the World Cup, the confidence is high,” said the 29-year-old.

“I’ve been in one [Russia 2018], I would like to be in one again.

The man who has resurrected Nigeria’s World Cup dream is Eric Chelle.

The Malian became the first non-Nigerian African to take charge of the Super Eagles when he was appointed in January.

He has gone unbeaten in six competitive games, with four wins and two draws, and Iwobi says the 48-year-old has installed a positive atmosphere among the squad.

“Our manager constantly reminds us that we’re able to push through all circumstances,” explained the Fulham midfielder.

“He’s such a great man. We almost don’t see him as like a manager, but like a big brother. He’s created a big brotherhood.

“You see him on the touchline. He gets heated – he’s literally trying to fight for us.

“It motivates us, that we want to play not just for Nigeria but for him as well.”

Iwobi also had a message for fans who have been unhappy with the team’s qualifying campaign up until now.

“It wasn’t the greatest of starts,” he acknowledged with knowing understatement.

“But they (the fans) also need to understand we all have the same goal.

“I understand when they’re disappointed because we are very disappointed in not winning games comfortably or winning against teams that maybe we should have.

“We feel like on any day, if we give 100%, and we’ve got the players to do so, that we can beat any team.

“But there’s one thing saying it, we have to prove it.”