Former Super Eagles handler, Samson Siasia, who gave Alex Iwobi his first chance with the Nigeria Olympics team, has hailed the Arsenal youngster as one of the best young players in the world.
He is equally amazed by how fast Iwobi has grown from playing in the second team of Arsenal to now a full international with Nigeria within a short time.
His rainbow flick made against Algeria last Saturday by Iwobi compares to the tricks his uncle, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, pulled off in his playing days and remains a talking point several days after.
“When I first saw him, he had good touches but being his first time in Nigeria after a long while, you could not see the best of him,” Siasia narrated.
“We needed him to understand the kind of system in Nigeria and now see what he has turned out to be – one of the best young players in the world.”
He added: “I am amazed with the rapid growth of Alex.
“It has been a great transition for him. He is now a star at Arsenal playing with a lot of confidence. Two years ago, nobody knew who he was as he was playing in the Arsenal second team,” recalled Siasia who led the Dream Team VI to Nigeria’s only bronze medal at the Rio2016 Games.
Arsenal did not release Iwobi for the Rio Olympics but he has since cemented his place in the Super Eagles.
Siasia said Iwobi senior should take a lot of the credit.
“Kudos must go to his dad, who did everything for Alex to be where he is today,” he said.
“If it weren’t for his father, Alex would not have played for Nigeria to start with,” revealed Siasia.
