Super Eagles midfielder, Anayo Iwuala has dismissed rumour that he was under pressure wearing the number 10 jersey of the senior national team, disclosing how he was given the responsibility of putting on the iconic number.
Iwuala featured in Nigeria’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where the team defeated Benin 1-0 in Porto-Novo before overcoming Lesotho 3-0 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
The Enyimba star in a chat with a Lagos based radio station stated that the team saddled him with the responsibility of donning the number 10 jersey.
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“Not really, outside football the jersey number 10 signifies a special representation to a personality.
“As a player it’s just normal, we understand that the minute you put on the jersey number 10, in the mentality of football, much is expected from that person.
“I didn’t pick it myself, I didn’t pick the jersey. I got to the dressing room and they invited me to take up the jersey number 10.”
By Austin Akhilomen
14 Comments
Well it’s so sudden. The person who dorns that number should be a player who carries his team on his shoulders . A field Marshall on the pitch
Look at Pele, Maradona Zidane Steven Gerrard Roberto Baggio Ronaldinho and Jay Jay okocha. These are number 10s . In Jay Jay okocha’s era , it took him years for him to understand what his role entails . Of course he can dribble and do amazing things , but he didn’t understand that he’s the fire of the team . It was when he was in his 30s that was where he started realising that. Which shouldn’t be so .
Players like the names I mentioned except Jay Jay understand early what it means to be the teams number.
Ability to be in charge of the midfield , create chances for the team to score , when it comes to the worst , step to save the team by scoring winning goal . Ability to score free kicks . Be the most hard working player in that tram . Keeping the team on their toes . These are what number 10s do .
Iwuala is yet to understand that position that the national team is placing on his shoulders. Truth be told I’m not sure about him yet . I’m yet to see an actual player who can and is worthy of that number.
Therefore the search continues…
Aribo has been doing well for Rangers as ten I hope soon he will be consistent with the super eagles as well. Etebo is another multi positional player that fights for the team and can score break away goals he might do a good job for us too in future not forgetting Iwobi. We cry for ten yet we have them plenty. Olise and Ovie are on the way too, not to forget I am not giving up on Eze.
Somebody should warn Abraham to mind his business and leave Eze alone to stop influencing the lad to dumb Naija after EuroU21 horrible show by England. Igbos are very patriotic except now that alot is affecting their influence Las Las them dey regret.
Thank you my brother,you read Abraham’s comment.when last has he been in the England team?his likes are still regretting and he will regret and Tomori that did follow follow,where is he?Am not praying bad for them,but they use their senses well and there parent to guide them.Fashanu was better than Abraham and co but England messed up his international career.
Very humble players, rootless and confidence.
There’s still room for our home based players to be in Super Eagles.
Thank you Oga Rohr and Mr. Yobo for giving Iwuala a chance to show his talent.
Hopefully I will have time to scout for more Ajegunle and Agege players.
We can have them for team B.
I’m so happy for Iwuala. God bless Nigeria!!!
Mr Scout, please remember to include Sambisa too, lots of quality players are there.
Lollllzzzz….Omo9ja the chief scout u will not kill somebody
@omo9ja please b truthful to yourself, if u are giving the following list to select as a coach whom will make ur 23 men list
1 okoye Maduka
2 Francis Uzoho
3 yakubu Matthew
4 John Noble
5 Dele Alampasu
6 Daniel Akpeyi
7 Ikechukwu Ezenwa
Leon Balogun
William Troost-Ekong
Adekunle Adeleke
Kenneth Omeruo
akpoguma
Tyronne Ebuehi
Ola Aina
Zaidu Sanusi
Jamilu Collins
Chidozie Awaziem
Semi Ajayi
Tosin Adarabioyo
Jordan Torunarigha
Kingsley Ehizibue
Ramon Azeez
Wilfred Ndidi
Oghenekaro Etebo
Michael Olise
ovie ejaire
Joseph Ayodele-Aribo
Abdullahi Shehu
Alex Iwobi
demola Lookman
Samuel Chukwueze
Moses Simon
Henry Onyekuru
Anayo Iwuala
musa ahmed
osimeh victor
paul Onuachu
iheanacho Kelechi
Cyril Dessers
Samuel Kalu
Chidera Ejuke
Peter Olayinka
Sadiq Umar
Terem Moffi
from the list above select ur 23 men squad, u are free to add ur own home base.
note u are in the group of mexico, england and argentina. and if u qualify u are either to play Belgium or france, next to play brazil if u survive
Good question? He shouldn’t forget to add his Ajegunle and Agege boys with link to their videos so that we can analyse them. @Omo9ja and anyone who wants to catch fun let’s make a choice of 23players.
Iwuala’s game is quite similar to one of our great number 10s of the past, Etim Esin.
Same low center of gravity, same audacious skills, same aggression, same fearlessness. So I can understand why he was given the jersey. And the jersey kuku fit am well well!
Iwuala may not be ready yet to be a starter for the SE, but I think he will get there pretty soon, with hard work. The talent is already there. He just needs a bit of exposure. Playing in Germany, Spain, France or similar environment will further unleash his potentials.
I am always surprised that most Nigerians don’t even consider the playing turf. That surface at TB stadium, Lagos was like a polo field. Balls were bouncing higher than players. One big reason Nigerian players do well abroad. Passes were distorted and players tend to be faster than the ball during attempted dribbles. Very poor.
That boy is too good. Those of us that supports Enyimba and follows npfl knows his quality. You needed to see him in the last car get cup against the north African team at Aba. How he dribbled about 5 players to lay assist to one of Enyimba’s goal.
Earlier , I wrote on the characters of a number 10 and the responsibilities he needs to carry esp when the team needs to win at all cost . I once stated that this was sudden and that perhaps more search on the ideal candidate for that number should continue . I got 6 dislikes on my comment . So I had to check further on the guy because I only saw him play 2 matches and I felt not convinced until I saw a YouTube video where I saw glimpse on what he really can do . It was then that I could say that perhaps he’s got what it takes. To dorn that number on the condition that he’s managed well by a football agent who knows what is important in his life by nurture him and protecting him from wrong clubs. I wouldn’t want him to be rushed to go to Europe immediately just because of what he’s been able to display. I sure would love it that he plays in the world cup qualifier and he’s picked in both nations cup as well as world cup . I want him to hold on at Eyimba since he’s still playing continental competition. He should not sign early for clubs in Sweden or Switzerland or Ukraine yet . Let top clubs in western Europe really buy him from Eyimba. I remember Kolo Toure was bought from Asec Mimosa to Arsenal and he became an assets winning the league undefeated .
He’s got that number 10 talents . He needs to build more of it . He needs to know how to score free kicks and push further in perfecting his goal scoring and amazing passess. He already got speed.
I hope to see him shine .
https://youtu.be/3aaxlyELDWk. What a surprise to hear someone having exactly same thought process as mine.Just the perfect advice to Iwuala though there is a very very thin chance he can still make going foreign. But it will hurt a lot to see this pure talent go wasted away in foreign leagues. This boy is the true heir apparent to that NO 10 position, even if not now but say in next 2 or 3 years. All he needs is someone to look after him, watch more of Diego maradona’s video n though he’s got speed but work to increase it even more to lightening travel merged with great momentum. Also he should improve seriously on goals returns. IWUALA SHOULD JUST FALL IN LOVE WITH HIS BALL N THE BALL WILL IN RETURN LOVE HIM, THUS OPENING MANY DOORS OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIM IN NO DISTANT FUTURE. HARD WORK, PATIENCE N OPTIMISM IS THE SECRET. I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST ANAYO IWUALA.
I am always surprised that most Nigerians don’t even consider the playing turf. That surface at TB stadium, Lagos was like a polo field. Balls were bouncing higher than players. One big reason Nigerian players do well abroad. Passes were distorted and players tend to be faster than the ball during attempted dribbles. Very poor.