Football icon Jay-Jay Okocha played a key part in convincing his nephew, a Premier League star, to play for Nigeria over England.
Okocha, known for his incredible flair, played 73 times for Nigeria.
After playing for Paris Saint-Germain, Okocha had a spell at Bolton Wanderers between 2002 and 2006. He later returned to English football with Hull City.
Okocha was part of the Nigeria side that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994.
In addition, he was involved as Nigeria won a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics.
Fulham star Alex Iwobi revealed that his uncle Okocha influenced his decision to represent Nigeria instead of England.
Iwobi was born in Nigeria but moved to England at a young age and joined Arsenal's academy.
He represented England at Under-16, Under-17 and Under-18 levels but then chose to play for Nigeria and made his senior international debut in 2015.
Iwobi has now made 78 appearances for Nigeria and has scored ten goals.
The 28-year-old, who can play as a winger or a midfielder, featured as Nigeria finished as runners-up to Ivory Coast in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Iwobi says a visit to Lagos, where he was born, persuaded him to play for Nigeria after he saw Okocha's popularity.
Speaking to Arsenal TV in 2018, Iwobi said: 'I went over there to see what it's like and the way they described my uncle. Wow, he's a legend.
'Even when we were just walking around with him and in the car, the acknowledgement he gets from everyone... I thought, 'Wow, maybe one day I would like to feel like that as well'.
'He influenced me without even talking to me about it.'
Iwobi played 149 senior games for Arsenal and scored 15 goals prior to joining Everton in 2019.
He made another move last summer as he signed for Fulham. So far this season he has played 31 games in all competitions and has scored six goals.
taaabdlop
1
Holle how are you doing tody
Supermimo
0
Very good advice from his Uncle. I don’t see him making the England senior squad with the players they have at the moment
because Iwobi can be lazy on play. He can't make England bench at all.
Supermimo
0
but e never advice yo come dey spoil our match
you are making sense. Alex Iwobi isn't improving. He is expected to be one of the best midfielders for the Super Eagles but he turned wasteful and lazy...preventing to mark and run in games. I hope the new Coach will not be bias and allow other promising and quality players to play ahead of Iwobi when & where necessary so Iwobi could learn and improve his games
Emmyzae1
4
Iwobi I see u Lookman,oshimen,onyeka, Boniface and chukwueze as our new Messiah in eagles squad.. eberechi eze na ball boy 4 England him and bench na friends..
Emmyzae1
0
Very good advice from his Uncle. I don’t see him making the England senior squad with the players they have at the moment
na God save am
Emmyzae1
0
To what end....
one day he go reach there
Emmyzae1
0
Play for Nigeria to come dey spoil game? Huh? 🤣
your papa to reach final na your mate
Emmyzae1
0
but e never advice yo come dey spoil our match
ur papa to reach final na your mate
leekytechie01
3
but e never advice yo come dey spoil our match
Kaybugar
1
Play for Nigeria to come dey spoil game? Huh? 🤣
Omj1014
2
To what end....
18923164(deleted)
4
He was so Good they named him twice😎🇳🇬JAY JAY🇳🇬
Pubabeipry
0
not good enough for England
Make more jokes
Yewacdkrst
1
wouldn't have made more than 4 and a half caps
innovation23
3
not good enough for England
stevenmark
2
always thank him bcos u could hv been long forgotten
heaceipsty
2
Very good advice from his Uncle. I don’t see him making the England senior squad with the players they have at the moment