Can Alex Iwobi Capture Hearts and Minds in Midfield for Nigeria in this Afcon?

A legend of Afcon without a legendary status, will that narrative change for good for Alex Iwobi in this Afcon?

Most fans will find it hard to believe that this Afcon will be Iwobi's 4th, yet he has struggled to establish himself as one of the icons of this continental showpiece.

In 2019, he had a healthy run of games, running in midfield, running himself to the ground but never really ran the midfield with compelling authority. He contributed to goals and passing routines but these were not nearly enough to register him as a standout player.

2022 was a tournament to forget as Eguavoen preferred Joe Aribo ahead of this former Arsenal man. Coming in as a sub in that ill-fated, ill-destined second round match against Tunisia, he got himself needlessly sent off, confirming Coach Eguavoen's lack of faith in him, contributing to the factors that lost Nigeria the match.

2024 was a much better year. In 2019, he showcased his offensive credentials, in '24 , his more defensive credentials as Nigeria subverted logic by using a defensive approach to almost lift the trophy.

Yet, it was William Troost-Ekong who stole the show and won the prize even as Frank Onyeka won the hearts of fans ahead of Iwobi (his partner in an overworked and underappreciated midfield partnership).

Here we go again, or rather, here Iwobi goes again.

Will he finally announce himself as one of the greats in the pantheon of great Afcon midfielders?

Sunday Mba. Remember him? He only needed one tournament, he only had one chance, he only ever had one opportunity to write his name is the folklore of Afcon mythology. Did he take it? Yes! Yes! Yes!

Iwobi has already had 3 chances, more than Sunday Mba had, more than Sunday Mba will ever have.