Nigerian midfielder, Alex Iwobi, has expressed his disappointment over Ghana’s early exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Ivory Coast.
In an interview with Joel Bortey, Iwobi shared his affinity for Ghana, revealing his desire for the Ghanaian team to perform well at the tournament due to his connections with some Ghanaians.
“There’s a lot of vibe between us. I have a lot of people that I respect in Ghana so I would like them to do well,” Iwobi expressed.
He expressed his regret over Ghana’s premature departure, noting the talent within their squad. “It’s a shame because the way they exited with the kind of players they have, was a bit sad to see. Obviously, because we were in the same hotel with them, we could see how devastated they were,” the Fulham player remarked.
Despite his support for Ghana, Iwobi emphasized his primary allegiance to Nigeria. “My main concern is always going to be about Nigeria. So as long as Nigeria is doing well, I’m not too really concerned about any other nation,” he clarified.
However, Iwobi admitted to also rooting for Ghana’s success in the hopes of a potential Nigeria versus Ghana match-up. “I have a lot of friends outside the team so it’s like you want them to do well so you can play against them and prove a point in the competition,” he added.
In the end, Nigeria advanced to the final of the 2023 AFCON but faced defeat against host country Ivory Coast in a hard-fought match.
