Alex Iwobi Says He Sometimes Had To Book His Own Flights With Nigeria U-23 Compared To England Youth System

Nigeria midfielder Alex Iwobi has reflected on his early days with the national team, revealing that his first experience with Nigeria’s U-23 squad came with several organizational hurdles.

In an interview with High Performance, Iwobi contrasted the setup in Nigeria with his time in England’s youth teams, noting a stark difference in structure and discipline.

“With England, it’s a bit more strict. You’re in St George’s Park National Football Centre or you’re in a hotel, no one’s allowed to come in, strict food, strict regime — that’s it,” he said, emphasizing the highly organized environment he was used to.

Iwobi explained that Nigeria’s U-23 experience was less structured, with logistical issues occasionally affecting players. “Sometimes your flight’s not booked properly; you have to book your own flight. You get there and sometimes the people at the airport are not ready to pick you up, so you have to make your own way,” he added.

He described these challenges as part of the learning curve early in his international career, highlighting the contrast between the two systems.