Alex Iwobi closes in on Kolo Toure’s African Premier League appearance record

Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi has moved level with Mohamed Salah and to within 25 appearances of Kolo Toure’s record for the most matches played by an African in the English Premier League.

Iwobi reached 328 Premier League appearances after featuring in Fulham’s 1-0 victory over Coventry City on Saturday. The appearance put him joint-second on the all-time African list alongside Egypt and former Liverpool winger Salah.

His latest milestone came as Fulham secured victory against a team featuring Nigeria internationals Frank Onyeka and Taiwo Awoniyi.

Toure remains the leading African player for Premier League appearances, having made 353 during spells with Arsenal and Manchester City. The Ivory Coast defender was one of Iwobi’s former team-mates at Arsenal.

Iwobi needs another 25 matches to draw level with Toure. However, he could move into outright second place in the standings in Fulham’s next fixture, away to Aston Villa, if he plays.

Salah’s departure to Trabzonspor of Turkey means Iwobi is set to move clear of him. The Egypt forward has continued to score for the Turkish club, where he plays alongside Paul Onuachu.

Iwobi has now played 22,898 minutes in the Premier League.

A report by Tribal Football said Iwobi was on the pitch for 73 minutes during Saturday’s match, in which Alvaro Arbeloa’s side claimed all three points through Oscar Bobb’s 80th-minute goal.

The report added that Iwobi had 60 touches and completed 51 passes, recording an 86.3% passing accuracy. He also created two key chances.

The former Everton and Arsenal midfielder made one tackle before being replaced by Cesar Palacios in the 73rd minute.

The result extended the significance of Iwobi’s appearance, with the Nigeria international reaching the latest landmark in a match that ended in victory for his club.