Alex Iwobi has revealed that Nigeria players have sometimes been left to arrange their own flights, pay for upgrades and wash their kits while on international duty.
The Fulham midfielder described a number of difficulties experienced by members of the Super Eagles, including inadequate training facilities and a lack of organisation that he said did not always match expectations at international level.
Speaking on the Beast Mode Podcast, Iwobi said players had occasionally been required to take responsibility for their own travel arrangements. In some cases, they also had to cover the cost of upgrading their flights.
He added that the conditions surrounding training could be equally challenging, with players sometimes expected to clean their own playing equipment and work on a surface made up of both natural grass and artificial turf.
“Sometimes you have to book your own flight, sometimes you have to pay for your upgrades. You have to wash your own kit, the pitch was half grass, half astro,” Iwobi said.
The 30-year-old also recalled the intensity of training sessions with Nigeria and the immediate reaction from coaches when players made mistakes.
“If you make one bad pass, the coach is screaming at you,” he added.
Despite the frustrations he described, Iwobi made clear that the experience has not weakened his commitment to representing Nigeria. The Fulham midfielder said he continued to enjoy playing for his country and spoke positively about one aspect of being with the national team.
“I love playing for my country. I love the food,” he added.
Iwobi has earned more than 80 caps for Nigeria and has been a regular member of the senior side since making his international debut in 2015.
During that period, he has represented the Super Eagles at major tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA World Cup.
His comments offer an insight into some of the practical and sporting pressures that can accompany international football, even for an established national-team player. While the facilities, travel arrangements and training environment have not always been ideal, Iwobi said his enthusiasm for Nigeria remains intact.
The midfielder’s account highlights the contrast between the pride associated with representing the Super Eagles and the challenges players may face behind the scenes. Alongside the responsibility of performing for the national team, he said players have at times had to manage basic elements of their own preparation and travel.
Iwobi’s long-standing involvement with Nigeria means he has experienced those demands over several years, having been part of the national team since 2015 and featuring at two of football’s leading international competitions, the Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA World Cup.
