Afcon is a special football tournament

Played on some of the world’s biggest stages inside Premier League, but Alex Iwobi believes the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) is a “special” experience.

Over the next few weeks, 24 teams will compete for the continental crown.

Fulham midfielder Iwobi will represent his home country Nigeria in the competition and hopes to clinch the title after losing 2-1 to Ivory Coast in the 2023 final.

“With Afcon you can celebrate Africa through football,” he tells BBC Newsbeat.

“You see the different cultures, you see how people dress differently, what Nigerian people are like, how we go into locker rooms.

“We play music when some of the other countries come into the locker rooms, so we celebrate our music with that as well.”

Nigeria is hoping to redeem itself after failing to qualify for the World Cup for the second consecutive year.

Iwobi says it’s a “big disappointment” but the team will use it to fuel themselves at the Afcon tournament.

“We owe it to ourselves to get this right and there is no better way to improve since the last Afcon than to win this one,” says the 29-year-old.

Afcon is usually held every two years and this time Morocco is hosting it.

Nigeria has won the competition three times over the years, the last being in 2013.

Their recent defeat against Ivory Coast is still at the forefront of Iwobi’s mind, as he says it “shattered” his dreams.

But he feels that moment was “meant” for striker Sébastien Haller, who scored the winning goal. Overcoming testicular cancer.

“It was a tough loss but you give credit where it is due, they deserved it,” says Iwobi.

“But it’s also fueled us and we’re working hard to get into Afcon again and hopefully that’s our story.”

The Fulham midfielder was born in Lagos but moved to London as a child. His talent was recognized early and he was selected to represent England up to under-18 level.

After many years with the Three Lions, he made his debut for the Nigerian national team in 2015 and said he felt more “at home” in the team.

“England treated me with great respect and they loved me,” he says. “But I also felt more connected to my roots in Nigeria.”

He has since made 91 appearances, making him the Nigerian Super Eagles’ fourth most-capped player.

Iwobi said he never considered playing for Arsenal, Fulham or Nigeria when he was growing up but was “honored and grateful” for their achievements.

Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey and Iwobi’s school friend Ola Aina are also among the players of the Nigerian national team who were not trained in the country.

They have been affectionately nicknamed “bumbling kids” and Iwobi hopes they have helped open the door for others to represent their country.

“At the end of the day, you are Nigerian and you will be loved no matter what,” he says.

Debate continues over whether Afcon will receive the respect it deserves.

Sky Sports pundit earlier this year Jamie Carragher caused a stir When discussing Mohamed Salah’s chances of winning the coveted Ballon d’Or, he suggested the Afcon was not seen as a “major tournament”.

Iwobi still thinks there is more work to be done.

“Obviously it’s a lot more well-known,” he says. “So much great talent and great nations represented.

“There are a lot of players to represent in every team in the Premier League, so awareness is growing but I think he definitely deserves a lot more respect.”

If he wins the tournament, the Fulham player said he would immediately speak to his parents and sister on the phone while his extended family danced.

“I’ve heard from people before that when they win everything stops, you’re like a king, you’re just noble,” he says.

“We were already treated like royalty going into the final, so I can’t imagine winning it.

“This would be crazy, but I want to experience it.”

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