By Oluwadamilola Olaleye
Alex Iwobi is on the cusp of achieving a significant milestone in his international career as he prepares to make his 91st appearance for Nigeria in their 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff final against DR Congo on Sunday.
The Everton midfielder is just one cap away from tying Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel for fourth place on Nigeria’s all-time appearance list.
Both players will be level with 91 appearances, behind only Joseph Yobo (100 caps), Vincent Enyeama (101), and Ahmed Musa (111).
Iwobi, who recently celebrated a personal Premier League appearance milestone, has been a key figure for the Super Eagles over the years.
His experience, both at club and international level, has made him an integral part of Nigeria’s midfield, especially as the team continues its World Cup qualifying campaign.
The upcoming match against DR Congo holds added significance for Iwobi, who remains one of the few players in the current squad with World Cup experience.
He, along with William Troost-Ekong, Wilfred Ndidi, and Chidozie Awaziem, was part of the Super Eagles’ squad at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Iwobi’s consistent presence and leadership on the pitch have been vital for Nigeria in their ongoing pursuit of a place in the 2026 World Cup, and his milestone appearance will be another testament to his enduring commitment to the national team.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
