Alex Iwobi draws level with Mohamed Salah as Kolo Toure record comes into view

Alex Iwobi has moved level with Mohamed Salah on 328 Premier League appearances, with only Kolo Toure now ahead of the pair among African players.

The Super Eagles midfielder reached the mark during Fulham’s 1-0 win at Coventry City on Saturday 24 October. Oscar Bobb scored the decisive goal in the 80th minute, while Iwobi was replaced six minutes earlier.

His compatriot Calvin Bassey played the entire match for Fulham, who recorded their second consecutive league victory.

Iwobi, 29, has accumulated his Premier League appearances across spells with Arsenal, Everton and Fulham. Toure remains the leading African player in the competition’s history, having made 353 appearances.

That leaves Iwobi and Salah 25 matches behind Toure’s total. Iwobi needs 25 more league appearances to draw level with the former defender and 26 to move clear of him.

Among Nigerian players, Iwobi already has a substantial advantage. Shola Ameobi is second on the country’s list with 298 Premier League appearances, 30 fewer than Iwobi.

Toure record within reach

Fulham have completed eight of their 38 league matches, leaving 30 games in their campaign. If Iwobi plays in all but a handful of those fixtures, he could surpass Toure’s African record before the season finishes.

However, that possibility depends on both his fitness and Fulham continuing to select him regularly. His early substitution at Coventry, in the 74th minute, also underlined that playing every available minute is not guaranteed.

Iwobi’s next opportunities to increase his total will come against Aston Villa, Newcastle and Manchester City.