Super Eagles midfielder Alexander Iwobi opens up on the state of the playing surface at the designated pitches for the 2023 AFCON tournament npflupdates.com reports.
Iwobi is an integral part of the Super Eagles squad that recently progressed to the 2023 Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) knockout stages.
And being one of the Super Eagles players who’s been to two different AFCONs, Iwobi revealed that sometimes, the coach has to change tactics because of the nature of the turf.
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According to the Fulham FC playmaker, pitches in Africa isn’t the same with what is obtainable in the English Premier League. And reasons are mostly because it’s not always easy to maintain playing surfaces.
What Iwobi said about playing on poor surfaces
“It’s not easy to maintain a good pitch. For the first game (against Equatorial Guinea) we had a good pitch. But the stadium has been used, the grass has been used and it’s not going to stay the same,” the former Arsenal playmaker told journalist Osasu Obayiuwana.
“Sometimes, we have to change our tactics, because we can’t play the pretty football we want to play.”
“If it’s a problem for us, it’s a problem for the other teams… It’s different from the @premierleague, where 90% of the pitches are well looked after,” he rounded saying.
In a related story, goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali makes clarification over his position as Super Eagles first choice goalie.
According to the former Enyimba FC goalkeeper, he’s still not considering himself as the number one and first choice. But sees himself as having the opportunity to represent his country, which he’s utilising.
” I am still not seeing myself as number one; I always say this. I only have an opportunity, and I just want to play and give my best,” Nwabali said.
The Chippa United player also appealed to Nigerians, and their supporters to be calm, as the much needed goals would soon start coming to the delight of all.
Also read: “Extremely Impressed” Super Eagles Legend Rain Praises On Iwobi And Bassey
“For me, the goals will come when you have someone like Victor Osimhen; for me, we are not worried about goals but about the three points. And now we have qualified.
“Monday’s win is a nice feeling for me and the team,” Nwabali said.
