Iwobi poised to break Nigerian record held by Ahmed Musa in friendly against Portugal

Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi is on the verge of breaking a Nigerian record held by Ahmed Musa when the Super Eagles face Portugal in a high-profile international friendly on Wednesday evening, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

Iwobi, who is currently on 99 international appearances, is set to join an elite group of Nigerian footballers to have reached the 100-cap milestone. 

Even if he features for just a minute against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal side on June 10, he will become only the fourth Nigerian player to reach the landmark, following in the footsteps of Joseph Yobo, Vincent Enyeama and Ahmed Musa.

More significantly, the match presents Iwobi with the opportunity to become the fastest player in Nigeria’s history to reach 100 caps. 

If he plays, he will achieve the feat in 10 years and 245 days since his senior debut, surpassing Musa’s record.

The Hale End Academy graduate made his senior debut for Nigeria in a friendly against the Democratic Republic of Congo on October 8, 2015. 

He earned his 99th cap in his most recent appearance against Jordan, a match in which he was sent off in the closing stages.

Ahmed Musa currently holds the record for the fastest player to reach 100 appearances for Nigeria, having reached the milestone during a World Cup qualifier against the Central African Republic on 10 October 2021, 11 years and 35 days after his debut against Madagascar.

Even if Iwobi does not feature against Portugal, he will still have further opportunities to claim the record, with the next chance potentially arriving during Nigeria’s opening fixture of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in September.

Fastest players to reach 100 games for Nigeria 

1) Ahmed Musa – 11 years and 35 days

2) Vincent Enyeama – 12 years and 323 days

3) Joseph Yobo – 13 years and 98 days 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel