Alex Iwobi Names Dream Super Eagles Five-a-Side Featuring Okocha, Kanu and Mikel

Posted : 24 September 2026

Alex Iwobi has revealed his dream Super Eagles five-a-side team ahead of Nigeria's opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar in Uyo. The Fulham midfielder selected five former Nigeria stars, with several famous names missing from his lineup.

Iwobi made his selections during a media interaction with Super Eagles players on Wednesday. He chose former goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, ex-captain Joseph Yobo, his uncle Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha, former African Footballer of the Year Nwankwo Kanu and John Obi Mikel.

“I'll put Vincent Enyeama in goal, I'll put Joseph Yobo, my uncle Jay-Jay Okocha, Kanu, and I will also put Obi Mikel,” Iwobi said, according to Soccernet Nigeria. His selection reflects a group of players who played important roles for Nigeria across different generations.

The midfielder's choices also left out some of Nigeria's most celebrated names. All-time leading Super Eagles scorer Rashidi Yekini and former captain and coach Stephen Keshi were not included, while current striker Victor Osimhen was also absent from Iwobi's five.

Osimhen has been a prominent choice in some of the other players' dream lineups. However, the Galatasaray striker will not feature in Nigeria's opening AFCON 2027 qualifiers after suffering a muscle injury. CAF confirmed that he will miss the matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau as he continues his recovery.

Nigeria will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Friday, September 25, as Eric Chelle's side begins its Group L campaign. The Super Eagles will then travel to Guinea-Bissau for their second qualifying fixture on September 29.

The qualification format gives added importance to every match in the group. Tanzania are already guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON as one of the co-hosts, meaning only the highest-placed team other than Tanzania will qualify from Group L.

Iwobi is also approaching another milestone with the national team. A start against Madagascar would take him to 101 appearances for Nigeria, putting him level with Enyeama, the goalkeeper he selected in his dream five-a-side team. Ahmed Musa remains ahead in the appearance rankings, with 110 caps according to recent reports.

Nigeria will also have recent history with Madagascar in mind. The teams last met at the 2019 AFCON, when Madagascar secured a 2-0 victory in Alexandria. Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi and Moses Simon featured for Nigeria in that match, while Ola Aina, Samuel Chukwueze and Osimhen were also part of the squad.

With Osimhen unavailable, Chelle will rely on other attacking options including Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Akor Adams and Tolu Arokodare. Nigeria's opening result will set the tone for a qualifying campaign in which every point carries significant weight.

Alex Iwobi Names Dream Super Eagles Five-a-Side Featuring Okocha, Kanu and Mikel

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