Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has urged Nigerians not to lose faith in the team despite their back-to-back international friendly loss.
The Eagles lost to the South Americans 1-0 in New Jersey days after going down 2-1 to Mexico in Dallas, Texas, in Coach Jose Peseiro’s first game in charge of the national team.
The defeats have since triggered unfavourable reactions from fans, with many questioning the team’s strength heading into the AFCON qualifiers.
Nigeria have failed to win a friendly game since their 1-0 win over Egypt in 2019.
Reacting to the Eagles’ winless streak, Iwobi, who had a very impressive second half of the 2021/22 Premier League season for Everton noted that there is still a long way to go in Peseiro’s team building process. He, however, urged that faith must be shown in the process.
Iwobi wrote on Twitter: “Trust the process… We on route but still a long way to go!”
Iwobi played for 90 minutes in both games against Mexico and Ecuador.
The 26-year-old had missed the 2022 World Cup playoff against the Black Stars of Ghana due to suspension, after he was sent off in Nigeria’s Round of 16 clash at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Tunisia in Cameroon.
His fine form for the Toffees in the last 12 league matches of last season saw him return to the national team set-up since January.
Iwobi was named in the list of 27 players for the upcoming 2023 AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe.
