Former coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Samson Siasia says Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi shouldn’t be handed the number 10 role of the Nigerian team, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Siasia who recently returned from a ban from football placed on him by world football governing body FIFA on allegations of match fixing gave the opinion, while speaking on the evolution of the team.
He said the country still lacks a playmaker in the mould of Iwobi ‘s uncle Austine Okocha, that although Iwobi isn’t a bad player but just like John Obi Mikel they both failed to bring creativity to the team.
He said, “Nigeria is yet to find a suitable replacement for Okocha since the former Bolton Wanderers star quit international football in 2006. Former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi was expected to take up the role, but failed to live up to expectations.
“Fulham star Alex Iwobi has been used in the number 10 role in recent years, but he is not good enough to play the position. Iwobi cannot play that position. He’s a good player, but he’s not doing as much as he’s supposed to as an offensive player. We have to look for that person in the centre of the field, who can give the last passes and scores goals.
“We don’t have an offensive midfield player that can give the last pass to the strikers. We have great strikers, but we need someone that is missing. In the defence and other parts, right and left midfield, we are good. We need someone like Jay-Jay Okocha, but it has to be somebody that can score more than he did.”
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
