Alex Iwobi Set For 90th Super Eagles Appearance As Nigeria Clash With Gabon

13 Nov 2025, 12:29 by Ernest Victor · Naija News

Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi is on the verge of reaching another landmark in his Super Eagles career as Nigeria face the Panthers of Gabon in the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff match in Rabat later today, November 13.

All indications suggest that head coach Éric Chelle will include the 29-year-old in his starting lineup for the crucial encounter, barring any late change.

Iwobi, who once played for England’s youth teams before pledging his international future to Nigeria in 2015, has grown into one of the team’s most dependable figures.

He made his debut for the Super Eagles in a friendly against the Democratic Republic of Congo in October 2015 and has since been a constant presence in the squad.

The Arsenal Academy product featured at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and was part of the team that won bronze at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. He also played every minute as Nigeria finished as runners-up at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire.

Meanwhile, defender Calvin Bassey has voiced the team’s belief ahead of the high-stakes meeting with Gabon, stressing that the players are fired up for the challenge.

“I think we started very slow but we are now, hope has been restored, we just have to make sure that we keep going and just take the game as it comes. We are Nigeria, we are a massive nation, and we know there is a lot of expectation and responsibility,” Bassey told Sporty TV.

After a shaky start to their qualifying campaign, the Super Eagles have regained their rhythm and confidence, setting the stage for what promises to be a fiercely contested playoff tie.

The match will kick off at 5 p.m. Nigerian time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat tonight, November 13.