The three-time African champions finished second in Group C behind South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, a position that forced them into the playoff stage of the African qualifiers. Nigeria will now take on the Panthers of Gabon in the semi-final playoff match on Thursday, November 13, in Rabat, Morocco.
Speaking to CNN ahead of the crucial encounter, Iwobi admitted that the team had endured a difficult journey but insisted the Super Eagles possess the talent and mindset to complete their turnaround.
“We’ve managed to rescue ourselves from the dead,” Iwobi said. “We know we have the players and the abilities to compete against any other country in the world.”
The former Arsenal midfielder highlighted the squad’s individual brilliance, pointing to the presence of recent African Footballer of the Year winners Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen as proof of Nigeria’s quality.
“It’ll be a shame if we don’t make it, but we have a lot of confidence. We just have to prove it to ourselves,” he added.
With the playoffs offering the final chance to secure a place at the expanded 2026 World Cup, Iwobi and his teammates will be hoping to make amends for missing the 2022 edition in Qatar.