Super Eagles’ dazzler, Alex Iwobi is standing tall among the numbers, as his tremendous form at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco hogs the record books, with several ‘killer passes’ that have led to goals for Nigeria, Sports247 reports.
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Heading into Wednesday’s AFCON 2025 semi-final versus the host country, Morocco, Iwobi, whose new nickname is ‘Pre-Assist,’ has been cited as the midfield maestro to make Nigeria’s hunt for goals possible.
Iwobi is again expected to play a key role and catapult Nigeria into the January 18th final, after his country’s 110th match in the competition’s history, with high expectations of more goals to rain in Rabat.
The Eagles have already set an all-time record of netting 14 goals so far in this year’s contest, taking their total haul across the ages to 158.
This means a milestone of 160 AFCON goals for Nigeria could be enacted should the Eagles hit another couple of sizzlers into Morocco’s net this midweek.
Statistics released by the information department of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) indicate that, apart from two pre-assists versus Mozambique and another two versus Algeria, Iwobi has 36 passes successfully executed at AFCON 2025.
Also listed in the data buoying Nigeria towards a likely historic victory over Morocco on Wednesday are Victor Osimhen’s four goals that put him in contention for the highest scorer’s award, followed by Ademola Lookman on three.
The NFF’s media statement added in part, “From four-goal-and-two-assists Victor Osimhen (35 goals in 51 matches – only two short of the Nigeria international goals-record), to three-goal-and-five-assists Ademola Lookman.
“To two-goal-and-one-assist Akor Adams, to two-goal Raphael Onyedika, to two-assists Samuel Chukwueze, to line-breaking passmaster Alex Iwobi (36 in the knockout phase so far), and a diligent rearguard.
“The Super Eagles have shown cold brutality and quiet authority in 450 minutes of exhilarating football (after) centreback Semi Ajayi scored Nigeria’s first goal of the tournament, against Tanzania.
“Wednesday’s game inside the 70,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium will be the sternest test the Atlas Lions have faced against a team that has every reason to win this year’s AFCON, including failing to qualify for the World Cup.
“Both teams possess the fury and fire to make it a memorable night for world football’s devotees.
“Morocco have Brahim Diaz, the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals, as well as three-goal Ayoub El Kaabi (and) captain Achraf Hakimi.
“Nigeria have scored 158 goals in their 109 matches in AFCON history, and have lost only four of their last 23 matches in the competition, including last final against hosts, Cote d’Ivoire in Abidjan.
“The Super Eagles have not faced North African opposition consecutively in the knockout stages of the AFCON since defeating Morocco, and subsequently Algeria, to claim their first title on home soil 46 years ago.”
