Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi played his 100th match for Nigeria on Wednesday during a friendly against Portugal in Leiria. He received a special plaque with the number 100 to celebrate this milestone, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, was present in Portugal to hand over the plaque before the match started.
Iwobi is now the fourth player to reach 100 matches for the Super Eagles. He joins Joseph Yobo, Vincent Enyeama, and Ahmed Musa in this special group.
Iwobi made his first appearance for Nigeria in a friendly against DR Congo in Visé, Belgium, on October 8, 2015. Before that, he had played for England at the youth level.
As he approached this landmark match, Iwobi remembered his goal against Zambia at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo in October 2017. He called it his most memorable moment in the national team.
That goal was one of the 10 he has scored for Nigeria. It helped the Super Eagles qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
“I loved the occasion because my dad and my mum were both at the stadium and saw it all, and we celebrated together afterwards. It was an exciting moment.
“Yes, I would have loved to win the AFCON and perhaps be with the Eagles at the FIFA World Cup that is about to kick off in a few days’ time, but I have no regrets.
“I am proud to be where I am today and proud to wear the green and white. I am grateful to everyone, including the coach who called me up to the team for the first time. I have no regrets choosing Nigeria,” he told NFF Media.
Looking back at his choice to play for Nigeria instead of England, Iwobi said, “I first went to the Nigeria U-23 team camp and felt at home. I had represented England at youth level but always felt Nigeria was home.
“My father always told me to go out there and enjoy my football, and make the decision that I felt was right for me. He was part of the decision, but he didn’t force it on me.
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