I never wanted to play for England – Iwobi

Arsenal striker Alex Iwobi has disclosed that he never contemplated playing international football for England at senior level, saying Nigeria was always his first choice.

The youngster had played for England at U-16, U-17 and U-18 levels but switched allegiance to Nigeria, the country of his parents, at senior level, when he made his Eagles debut in the 2-0 defeat to Congo in a friendly game in Belgium last year.

However, the 19-year-old was in the news lately after England made a last minute move to convince the Lagos-born attacker to commit his future to the Three Lions.

But Iwobi’s introduction as a substitute against Egypt on Friday ended England’s hopes of persuading him to represent the Three Lions in the future, but the nephew of Nigerian legend, Austin Okocha, confirmed he was approached by the English FA.

Eagles coach Samson Siasia said it was regrettable that there had been distractions from the English press over the player’s resolve to play for Nigeria.

“The English press didn’t make any noise about him when he had not played for the Super Eagles; I don’t know why they are making so much noise about him now after he had decided to feature for Nigeria in a competitive game,” he added.

But Iwobi told our correspondent he never had the intention to represent the Three Lions.

“I just came (to Nigeria) and I had food poisoning but I was able to continue training the next day. I’ve always wanted to represent Nigeria because that’s where my family’s from, that’s where I’m from and this is where I feel comfortable playing for. It’s a personal decision and I’m happy to be here,” Iwobi said after Saturday evening’s training session with the Eagles.

Iwobi believes the Eagles can triumph over the Pharaohs of Egypt in the second match of their 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifying double-header in Alexandria on Tuesday.

A late Mohamed Salah goal cancelled out Etebo Oghenekaro’s opener and denied Nigeria all three points in the first of the fixture on Friday in Kaduna. But the second-placed Eagles must beat the Egyptians away to rise to the top of the Group G log and revive their qualification hopes.

Iwobi is optimistic that the Eagles can triumph against the record African champions on Tuesday.

He said, “We believe we should have won the game, we should have taken our chances and we are very positive that we can win against Egypt at their own stadium.

“We are still trying to get ourselves back and we are preparing day by day and we will be ready for the game.”