Nigeria Aims for Glory at Afcon 2024 in Morocco
Afcon 2024 is currently underway in Morocco, featuring 24 teams including Nigeria. The Nigerian team, eager to reclaim glory, last won the tournament in 2013 and finished as runners-up in 2023, narrowly losing 2-1 to Ivory Coast, with Sébastien Haller scoring the decisive goal after his recovery from cancer.
Among Nigeria's standout players is Alex Iwobi, a Fulham midfielder who has earned 91 caps, making him the fourth most capped Nigerian player. Born in Lagos and raised in London, Iwobi represented England at youth levels before making his senior Nigeria debut in 2015. The Nigerian squad also includes players affectionately called the "innit boys," such as Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey, and Ola Aina, who were not raised in Nigeria.
Nigeria entered Afcon 2024 driven by the disappointment of missing qualification for a second consecutive World Cup—a setback Iwobi describes as significant but motivating. He sees the tournament itself gaining in stature, deserving greater respect, especially as more Nigerian and other African players compete in top leagues worldwide.
For Iwobi, winning Afcon would be monumental; he plans to immediately call his parents and sister, anticipating family celebrations that would feel like being honored as royalty. Beyond the football, he highlights that Afcon is a unique celebration of African culture, marked by vibrant music and joyous atmosphere, including in the players' changing rooms.
