By Ikenwa Nnabuogor
Just a game to reach a century for the Super Eagles’ Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi, is already planning a heist without the “Italians”
The onerous task looks simple for the middle man, whose flesh and blood, uncle Jay Jay Okocha, mesmerized fans globally to leave a footprint for his nephew to follow. He will continue his consistency to achieve that and even more.
Not only has his nephew followed his footprint, he’s marbled it and he’s looking good for more milestones.
What began like a huge dream under coach Sunday Oliseh in 2015, has turned out to become a full moon of reality for the exciting former Arsenal starlet.
Iwobi has since rejected the prince’s tag for the king’s stool to stamp his authority as the fiery intermediary between the rear and the attack.
Games after games, Iwobi continues to get games under his belt as coaches came and went, his drumbeats sounded loudest.
He’s refused to let his foot off the throttle, each game meant gold for him as he practically appears he’s going to race past the other centurions with ease.
The club founded few years ago still has just two members – Joseph Yobo and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama – leaving it short of members.
Fans have endured the lack of numbers while other countries have had multiple numbers and even held and enjoyed lots of parties among themselves.
Iwobi will definitely swell the numbers beginning with the Eagles’ friendlies in June and subsequently smash the record.
Currently, the Fulham star is on 99 caps, two shades of Yobo’s. The double header friendlies in June against Portugal and Poland will surely equal Yobo’s.
While Musa is on the lead with 111, Iwobi will make it assailable with just nine outings after the June friendlies and dethrone him.
The 2027 African Cup of Nations qualifiers are almost here and Iwobi will surely begin his race to equal and shade Musa’s record.
He’s the mainstay of coach Eric Chelle’s team and he appears Chelle isn’t looking at his replacement not even in the nearest future.
It doesn’t also appear so, should Chelle’s life depend on Super Eagles, post-Chelle Eagles will surely preserve his king’s stool.
Iwobi isn’t backing down, game after game, his wine tastes better and becomes more imposing, Eagles’ Centurion club’s new Sheriff in town is almost here.
What he seems to short supply in his uncle’s incredible skills, Iwobi’s century remains a massive statement to his uncle’s spotless Eagles’ stint.
Iwobi appears to burst the door of the centurions without the Captain’s band – even a rarity in modern football.
The world’s football centurions have been captains whose consistency earned them centurion tags.
But Iwobi will surely defy that as Wilfred Ndidi isn’t ready to give up his band, neither is his assistant, Moses Simon.
Wherever you see Iwobi – both in the green and white or black and white colours of Eagles and Fulham, respectively, one this is sure, it’s consistency.
His gaffers both at Eagles and Fulham seem not to have issues having him in the squad. His assurance; goals and assists, he smells them from afar.
Iwobi’s style is Iwobi’s and gaffers have agreed to understand this and play him where he ignites the fire.
Chelle didn’t get Iwobi’s memo in his initial stages after his arrival but received it with flowers as his tenure endured. Now Iwobi’s on his lips and that of millions of Eagles’ faithful globally.
Coming on the heels of Iwobi is the ship’s assistant, Simon, on 96, and the Nantes winger will surely be admitted shortly after Iwobi.
It appears the club will welcome two more members this year.
Iwobi’s welcome is due and it’s almost here but bringing his king’s stool alongside will be a bigger statement as well as a story.
