According to reports on Daily Mirror UK, the FA had intensified efforts to get Iwobi after the youngster played for the England twice at the underage level with his club coach, Arsene Wenger giving a glowing reference to the FA about him.
The respected British tabloid writes on Monday that: “The FA are making a last-ditch bid to try to stop Arsenal starlet Alex Iwobi committing his international future to Nigeria.
“New kid on the block Iwobi is at the centre of a tug of war between England and Nigeria again after becoming a regular in the Gunners’ first team set-up since the turn of the year.
“Forward Iwobi has already slipped through England’s fingers once, having played for the Three Lions’ Under-16, U17 and U18 sides before choosing to represent Nigeria — the country of his birth.
“(The) rising star who wore the Three Lions at youth level has now played two friendlies for the country of his birth and could be tied to them by this Friday.”
We gathered that Iwobi is nephew to Nigeria football legend, Jay Jay Okocha, who has proved instrumental in making him choose Nigeria over the English. Daily Mirror UK also hinted as much in its report.
Jay Jay Okocha’s older brother, Emmanuel also confirmed this much in a chat with All Nigeria Soccer.
“Iwobi is here in Nigeria for the match against Egypt, so hopefully if he plays a part, he can no longer play for England, that will be it.
“He wants to play for Nigeria and that is why he is here,” he said.
According to the rules guiding switching of ‘football nationalities’, should Iwobi play against Egypt in Kaduna on Friday, his third game for the country, then he is fully Nigerian, having played twice for the national team in the past as noted by Daily Mirror UK.
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