Alex Iwobi explains how Super Eagles star Ola Aina influenced his career

Alex Iwobi explains how Super Eagles star Ola Aina influenced his career

• Alex Iwobi is currently one of the biggest African footballers in the top European football leagues
• The Arsenal academy star was born in Nigeria but grew up and has spent most years in London
• He is one of the London-raised Super Eagles players called innit boys because of their accent

Fulham star Alex Iwobi has a reflection on his early days with childhood friend and Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina, and he shares how the right-back influenced his career.

The two players grew up in London, coming through Chelsea and Arsenal academies, even though Iwobi was born in Lagos and relocated to England as a child.

They are part of the London-raised Super Eagles footballers group called Innit Boys because of their accent and the frequent use of “innit” in conversations.

As noted by Cable, the group also includes Iwobi’s Fulham teammate Calvin Bassey, Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman, Semi Ajayi and Joe Aribo, all of whom are born or raised in London.

Iwobi explains Aina’s influence

Aina and Iwobi were neighbours during their childhood. They reunited at a park in Essex to reflect on their early days on Ola Aina’s YouTube channel.

The conversation was free-flowing and centred around their football, and the Fulham star disclosed how the defender helped him develop through extra training.

“I learned to use my left foot because of him. Back then, he used to bully my left foot. He was good with both feet and could use them at the same level. So he’d get me out, practice constantly, teach me techniques, and make sure I hit the ball accurately,” Iwobi said.

"We played against each other several times in our separate academies. I poked him in his eyes because he was stronger than me, and it was a struggle for me, but it motivated me as well to keep growing and improving myself.”

Augustine Jay-Jay Okocha's nephew has spent all his career in England, while Aina had a four-season spell in the Italian Serie A with Torino after leaving Chelsea in 2019.

Iwobi's warning to Manchester United

Previously, TUKO.co.ke reported that Alex Iwobi is brimming with confidence as the new Premier League season approaches.

The 28-year-old, who played a crucial role in Marco Silva's team securing a 13th-place finish, is eagerly anticipating the start of the new campaign.

As Fulham prepares to begin their season with an away match at Old Trafford, the versatile midfielder has delivered a rallying call to his teammates, urging them to secure a victory over Manchester United once again.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.