'I want to brag to him' – Iwobi set to use AFCON trophy to level playing field with Jay-Jay Okocha

Super Eagles and Fulham’s versatile attacking midfielder, Alex Chuka Iwobi has tipped the Super Eagles to win the 2023 AFCON tournament, as it’ll give him bragging rights against his uncle, Soccernet.ng reports.

Iwobi, 27, has close familial relations with former Paris Saint-Germain fleet-footed midfielder, Jay-Jay Okocha with the 50-year-old being Iwobi’s maternal uncle.

Speaking in an interview with BeIN Sports, alongside club and international teammate, Calvin Bassey, Iwobi revealed the AFCON trophy will be a collector’s item for him and give him a right to brag to his uncle at family functions.

“I know my uncle has won it, and I’d like to have one to my name as well. Obviously, we have the quality to do so, and hopefully we can do that, and I want to brag to him as well,” the former Everton midfielder said.

The Arsenal academy graduate was filled with nothing but praise for Okocha, highlighting the impact of the ex-Frankfurt player in his life as a footballer.

“When he was in Bolton, I used to go and watch some of his games and watched him train a couple of times at the training ground. He enjoyed football and always liked showing off to express himself, almost like an entertainer. He tells me to play football with a smile on my face, so that’s what I’m doing, and it has stuck by me.”

Iwobi has found life easy under Marco Silva in London and is keen to bring the spirit to the Super Eagles as he looks forward to his first silverware in the Nigerian jersey.