Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has found himself at the center of a social media storm after sharing videos from the team's camp in Morocco, sparking reactions from football legends and fans alike ahead of crucial World Cup playoffs.
Iwobi's Viral Video and Immediate Backlash
Fulham star Alex Iwobi posted a video on Monday morning, November 10, 2025, showing the view outside his room at the Rive Hotel in Rabat, Morocco. The clip revealed an old North African building that immediately drew criticism from Nigerian fans targeting the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) leadership.
The timing couldn't have been more sensitive with the Super Eagles preparing for vital World Cup qualification matches. Iwobi quickly followed up with another video clarifying his intentions, emphasizing he meant no harm and was simply sharing his surroundings.
Sunday Oliseh's Strong Reaction
Former Super Eagles coach and captain Sunday Oliseh weighed in heavily on the incident through a viral video on social media platform X. The AFCON winner expressed disappointment at what he described as a growing trend of players prioritizing social media over national duty.
"I don't blame these players too much if the structure is not there to say this is how you behave," Oliseh stated before recalling a similar incident during World Cup qualifiers in Uyo.
The former Borussia Dortmund star didn't mince words about how he would handle such situations: "If na me be the coach, I don decamp you that day. As I see that thing, I come your room and pick up your bag because your head is not in that game."
Broader Implications for Team Discipline
Oliseh emphasized the seriousness of representing Nigeria, noting that players are serving 220 million people. He stressed that such behavior would never be tolerated at club level and questioned why players would attempt it with the national team.
The timing coincides with the Super Eagles' crucial World Cup playoff preparations after Nigeria qualified by thrashing Benin 4-0 on the final matchday of the CAF qualifying series group stage. The team had experienced a poor start to the campaign before their remarkable recovery.
Meanwhile, the NFF has issued an official statement responding to the viral video amid mounting criticism from Nigerian football enthusiasts. Team camp opened in Morocco on Sunday with 14 players already arrived, including African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman and suspended defender Semi Ajayi.
The incident has sparked broader conversations about player discipline, social media use during national assignments, and the overall preparation environment provided by football authorities ahead of crucial matches that determine Nigeria's World Cup fate.
