Super Eagles Newcomer Chibuike Nwaiwu Reacts to Debut in Nigeria's Win Over Iran
Super Eagles new invitee Chibuike Nwaiwu has shared his heartfelt reaction after making his debut for the Nigerian national team during a 2-1 friendly victory over Iran. The match took place on Friday, March 27, 2026, in Antalya, Turkey, marking a significant milestone for the young defender.
Nwaiwu's Call-Up and Debut Details
Nwaiwu was invited by head coach Eric Chelle as a replacement for Calvin Bassey, who withdrew from the squad due to a back injury. This opportunity came as Nigeria prepared for friendly matches against Iran and Jordan. According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Nwaiwu entered the game as a second-half substitute in the 57th minute, replacing Igoh Ogbu when the score was 2-0 in favor of Nigeria. He successfully saw out the remainder of the match, contributing to the team's defensive efforts.
Eric Chelle handed debuts to two players during this encounter. Alongside Nwaiwu, newly-invited Emmanuel Fernandez also made his first appearance for the Super Eagles. Meanwhile, other invitees like Phillip Otelle and Yira Sor are still awaiting their chance to feature on the international stage.
Match Highlights and Nwaiwu's Emotional Response
Nigeria secured the win with goals from Moses Simon in the sixth minute, assisted by Samuel Chukwueze, and Akor Adams in the second half, set up by Ademola Lookman. Iran managed to pull one back in the 67th minute through captain Mehdi Taremi, but the Super Eagles held firm under pressure to clinch the victory.
After the match, Trabzonspor defender Nwaiwu expressed his overwhelming joy at representing his country for the first time. He described it as a dream come true, emphasizing that every footballer aspires to play for their national team.
"I think it's a privilege to represent my country because every footballer's dream is to represent their country. I'm very happy to be here to represent my country, and I'm happy to make my debut," Nwaiwu stated.
He credited his faith and hard work for this achievement, recalling his journey from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). "I believe in God, and I believe hard work pays, right from the time I played in the NPFL. I always say I will wear the national team shirt and I want to represent my country, and when I got the text at my club, I was very happy and excited," he added.
Nwaiwu also shared a humorous anecdote about his excitement nearly causing him to miss his flight to join the squad. He praised Iran as a strong team, noting that their performance provided good preparation for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, and applauded the Super Eagles' collective effort in securing the win.
Iran Coach's Post-Match Comments
Iran's head coach Amir Ghaleonei acknowledged Nigeria's quality, describing the match as valuable preparation for his team. Iran will next face Costa Rica as they continue their build-up towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Nwaiwu now looks ahead to potentially earning more playing time when Nigeria takes on Jordan in their second friendly match, aiming to build on his promising start with the Super Eagles.
