Super Eagles can't play pretty football - Iwobi voices concern over AFCON 2023 pitches

Alex Iwobi of Nigeria during the match between Cote D Ivoire and Nigeria at Stade D Ebimpe. (Photo Credit: IMAGO / Shengolpixs)

FOOTBALL Super Eagles can't play pretty football - Iwobi voices concern over AFCON 2023 pitches

Super Eagles can't play pretty football - Iwobi voices concern over AFCON 2023 pitches

Izuchukwu Akawor • 07:54 - 27.01.2024

Nigeria's Alex Iwobi believes the Super Eagles have been forced to navigate challenging pitch conditions in the quest for AFCON 2023 glory.

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has bemoaned the deteriorating state of pitches at the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON 2023, in Ivory Coast. 

Pulse Sports Nigeria can report that amid the tournament, Iwobi has acknowledged the difficulties of maintaining pristine playing surfaces ahead of the clash against Cameroon.

Iwobi and Super Eagles at AFCON

The Fulham playmaker and his Super Eagles will take to the pitch on Saturday for the fourth time in Cote d’Ivoire when they rekindle their rivalry with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the round of 16.

Speaking ahead of the all-important clash, the 27-year-old shed light on the challenges faced by the Eagles and other teams in adapting their strategies due to the state of the grasses.

Alex Iwobi of Nigeria | Credit: IMAGO

“It’s not easy to maintain a good pitch,” Iwobi reportedly said according to Afrik-Foot. “For the first game (against Equatorial Guinea) we had a good pitch. 

But the stadium has been used, the grass has been used and it’s not going to stay the same.

Nigerian players have been struggling with the state of the pitches in Ivory Coast.
Nigerian players have been struggling with the state of the pitches in Ivory Coast. (Photo Credit: Imago)

Speaking further, the former Everton and Arsenal midfielder said that the conditions have affected and limited Nigeria’s attacking ability and style in the competition.

“Sometimes, we have to change our tactics, because we can’t play the pretty football we want to play,” he added. 

Jose Peseiro does not want Nigeria to concede against Cameroon at AFCON2023. (Photo Credit: Pooja Media/X)

“If it’s a problem for us, it’s a problem for the other team. It’s different from the Premier League, where 90% of the pitches are well looked after.”

In drawing a contrast with the Premier League, where he plies his trade and most pitches are meticulously maintained, Iwobi underscored the unique problems facing the Eagles at the AFCON 2023.

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With the pitch conditions mitigating significantly on the game plan, he hints that the ability of Nigeria to adapt is now a key factor in their quest for AFCON success.

Iwobi and his compatriots will be looking to find away to navigate the poor state of the pitch when they face the Lions from Cameroon in a bid to secure the ticket to the last eight. 

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Nigeria Cameroon Alex Iwobi