The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sent a congratulatory message to Alex Iwobi after the Fulham midfielder reached 100 appearances for the Super Eagles of Nigeria. The milestone was achieved during an international friendly against Portugal at the Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria.
Iwobi Joins Elite Centurion Club
The 30-year-old became only the fourth player in Nigerian history to earn 100 senior caps, joining the exclusive centurion club that includes Vincent Enyeama, Ahmed Musa, and Joseph Yobo. CAF responded to a post from the Super Eagles celebrating the achievement with a brief but powerful message: "Iwobi? Iconic."
The Super Eagles had earlier announced the milestone on social media, writing: "Alex Iwobi joins the CENTURION Club."
Milestone Achieved in Defeat
Iwobi's landmark appearance came in a 2-1 loss to Portugal in their final warm-up match before the FIFA World Cup. Pedro Neto opened the scoring for the hosts, but Akor Adams equalized for Nigeria. Francisco Conceicao netted the winner for Portugal. Despite the defeat, Iwobi delivered a composed performance in midfield.
Chelle's First Defeat
The loss was Eric Chelle's first defeat in regulation time as Super Eagles head coach, ending a remarkable 25-match unbeaten run that included 16 victories and nine draws. His only previous setbacks had come via penalty shootouts.
Iwobi on Choosing Nigeria
Iwobi, who represented England at youth levels, said he has never regretted committing his international future to Nigeria. He expressed pride in wearing the green-and-white and admitted he would have loved to win the Africa Cup of Nations and play at a World Cup, but insisted those disappointments have not changed his feelings.
"I am proud to be where I am today; proud to wear the green-and-white. I have no regrets choosing Nigeria," Iwobi said.
The midfielder consulted family members, including his uncle and Nigerian legend Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha, before making his final decision.
Legacy and Future
Since his senior debut in 2015, Iwobi has become one of the most consistent figures in the Super Eagles setup. He has represented Nigeria at multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and played a key role in their run to the final of the 2023 edition. With 100 caps now under his belt, he joins an exclusive club that highlights his longevity and importance to the national team.
