Mikel Obi Criticises Alex Iwobi Over Hotel Video

Former Nigeria international, John Mikel Obi, has taken aim at Alex Iwobi after the Fulham midfielder shared a video that stirred controversy in the build-up to the Super Eagles’ 4-1 victory over Gabon in the World Cup playoff series.

Naija News reports that Iwobi’s short clip, filmed inside the Super Eagles’ hotel in Rabat, made the rounds online shortly before the decisive games against Gabon and DR Congo.

The team had been lodged at the Rive Hotel, and although the video had no narration, many Nigerians reacted sharply and questioned how well the Nigeria Football Federation had prepared the squad.

The Arsenal academy graduate later said he did not intend to criticise the hotel or the football authorities, but the damage had already been done in the eyes of some supporters.

Mikel, speaking on the Obi One Podcast, felt the post was poorly timed and could have dragged unnecessary negativity into the camp.

“Again, Alex Iwobi, that picture, maybe it was taken innocently and he posted it up,” Mikel Obi said. “But again, as a player playing in Europe, living in a nice accommodation, you should have known better, two days before the game.

“Don’t put that up. I read the comments; you don’t want that negativity, you don’t want that around two days before the playoff games.

“If I were the captain, I would tell him to take that down straight away. Take it off your Instagram, take it down, we don’t need that.”

Nigeria went on to beat Gabon after extra time in the semi-final playoff, while DR Congo defeated Cameroon in the other match. The Super Eagles later ended their World Cup qualification journey after a 4-3 defeat to DR Congo in the final playoff on Sunday night.