By Kunle Solaja

Alexander Iwobi will join an elite group of Nigerian footballers this Wednesday when he earns his 100th international cap in the Super Eagles’ friendly against Portugal in Leiria.

The midfielder will be honoured before kick-off at the Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa as he reaches the significant landmark in a career that has spanned more than a decade with the national team.

Iwobi’s milestone provides an additional layer of significance to a high-profile encounter against a Portuguese side packed with global stars and preparing for the FIFA World Cup.

The former Arsenal player is expected to play a central role in coach Eric Chelle’s plans as Nigeria seeks a positive result against Roberto Martinez’s men.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi is likely to partner Iwobi in midfield, with Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Tochukwu Nnadi among the options available to complete the engine room.

Despite the absence of key attackers Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, Chelle, according to a press release by the NFF, remains optimistic. Samuel Chukwueze has returned after missing the recent friendly against Poland, while Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu, Terem Moffi and Akor Adams are available.

The Super Eagles coach will also draw confidence from the recent performances of Philip Otele, whose displays at the Unity Cup in London and against Poland have earned widespread praise.

Iwobi’s century appearance will place him among the most-capped players in Nigeria’s football history and provide added motivation for the Super Eagles as they seek to upset one of Europe’s most talented squads.

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Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has expressed deep appreciation to Nigerians at home and across the diaspora as he prepares to make his 100th appearance for the national team in Wednesday’s international friendly against Portugal in Leiria.

The Fulham star, who will become only the fourth Nigerian player to reach the century mark in international appearances, said he remains proud of his decision to represent Nigeria despite having featured for England at youth level.

“I am proud to be where I am today; proud to wear the green-and-white,” Iwobi said. “I am grateful to everyone, including the coach who called me up to the team for the first time. I have no regrets choosing Nigeria.”

Iwobi made his senior debut for Nigeria on October 8, 2015, in a friendly match against DR Congo in Visé, Belgium. Incidentally, it remains a notable date in Nigerian football history. October 8 marks the anniversary of Nigeria’s first-ever international match, and over the decades, it has often brought good fortune to the national team. The defeat to DR Congo was only the second loss Nigeria had suffered on that date in 77 years of international football.

Remarkably, 128 months after that debut, Iwobi—nephew of Nigerian football icon Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha—is set to celebrate his 100th cap in another friendly match on European soil.

Reflecting on the journey that has taken him from a promising youngster to one of Nigeria’s most experienced internationals, the 30-year-old revealed that he always felt a strong connection to his roots.

“I first went to the Nigeria U23 team camp and felt at home. I had represented England at youth level but always felt Nigeria was home,” he explained. “My father always told me to go out there and enjoy my football, and make the decision that I felt was good for me. He was part of the decision, but he didn’t force it down on me.”

Despite reaching a milestone achieved by only a select few Nigerian players, Iwobi remains humble about his place in the game’s history.

“After 10 years and eight months, I won’t say I am a legend; I only see myself as a Super Eagles player. It feels great to be looking at a 100th cap and, on a lighter note, I wish I could add another 100 caps. I have enjoyed my time with the Super Eagles.”

Among his many memories in national colours, Iwobi singled out his decisive goal against Zambia in Uyo in October 2017 as the most memorable moment of his international career. The strike sealed Nigeria’s qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

“I loved the occasion because my dad and my mum were both at the stadium and saw it all, and we celebrated together afterwards. It was an exciting moment,” he recalled.

While he acknowledged that winning the Africa Cup of Nations and featuring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup would have further enriched his career, he remains content with his journey.

“Yes, I would have loved to win the AFCON and perhaps be with the Eagles at the FIFA World Cup that is about to kick off in a few days, but no regrets.”

Iwobi’s father, Barrister Chuka Iwobi, described the family’s pride in the midfielder’s achievement and thanked Nigeria for the opportunity afforded his son.

“We remain ever grateful to the nation for the opportunity Alex has been given,” he said. “When he made his debut in 2015, little did we know that this was the beginning of an amazing and incredible journey which would lead to him achieving the milestone of a hundred caps and with the potential of many more caps to come.”

He praised his son’s commitment to the national team, adding: “Alex loves playing for the nation and always gives his best. No one can ever question his commitment, devotion and patriotism while wearing the green-and-white. There have been highs and lows over the years, but he has emerged stronger from the experience of playing for the country.”

Iwobi’s international career has seen him feature at four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, winning a silver medal in 2023 and bronze medals in 2019 and 2025. He also represented Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

His impending 100th cap places him in an elite group of Nigerian footballers. Former captain Joseph Yobo was the first Super Eagles player to reach the milestone, doing so during Nigeria’s Round of 16 clash against France at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama followed, earning his 100th cap in a friendly match against Uganda in Uyo.

Current captain Ahmed Musa became the third member of the exclusive club in 2021, with his landmark appearance coming in Nigeria’s victory over the Central African Republic in Yaoundé, Cameroon—a feat made even more memorable by the team’s victory on the occasion.

Now, as he prepares to join that distinguished company, Iwobi will hope to mark the occasion with a memorable performance and a victory against Portugal, adding another proud chapter to an international career spanning more than a decade and defined by consistency, commitment and unwavering loyalty to the green-and-white colours of Nigeria.

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Denmark’s football community was left shaken once again on Sunday after midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed during an international friendly against Ukraine, five years after his dramatic cardiac arrest during the European Championship.

The 34-year-old playmaker fell to the turf 20 minutes into the second half of Denmark’s friendly match against Ukraine, prompting immediate concern among players, officials and supporters who recalled the harrowing scenes from Euro 2020.

The Danish Football Association (DBU) later reassured fans that Eriksen was conscious and in stable condition.

“Christian Eriksen is conscious and is doing well under the circumstances,” the federation said in a statement posted on the social media platform X, confirming that the match had been abandoned.

Television footage showed Eriksen clutching his chest moments before collapsing, triggering a swift response from medical personnel. As had happened during Denmark’s European Championship match against Finland in Copenhagen in 2021, players from both teams quickly formed a protective ring around him while medics attended to him on the pitch.

Eriksen was eventually able to walk unaided to an ambulance before being transported to hospital for further examination.

DBU doctor Morten Boesen said the midfielder had recovered consciousness quickly and was communicating normally.

“Christian is doing well and walked from the field himself. As I see it, the pacemaker is working as it should,” Boesen told Danish media.

“He was briefly gone, but very quickly regained consciousness, and we were quickly in contact with him. He will now be examined further in the hospital to find out what caused the incident.”

Boesen added that Eriksen had asked him to reassure teammates that he was okay.

The incident inevitably revived memories of June 12, 2021, when Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during Denmark’s opening match of the European Championship against Finland. On that occasion, medical staff performed life-saving CPR on the field before he was rushed to hospital.

Following the incident, Eriksen was fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD), a device designed to monitor heart rhythms and deliver corrective electrical impulses when necessary. He subsequently resumed his professional career and returned to international football, becoming an inspirational figure in the sport.

Denmark captain Pierre-Emile Højbjerg described the shock felt by players as they witnessed Sunday’s incident unfold.

“There is a throw-in, and then I go out to the side and turn around, and I see Christian on his way to the floor,” Højbjerg told Danish broadcaster TV2.

“Everyone reacted super-fast and with respect. I can only compliment the courage shown by those who took care of Christian on the field. The most important thing is that Christian is doing well.”

At the time the match was halted, Denmark were leading Ukraine 2-1. Neither nation qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

After officials called off the game, players and coaching staff from both teams gathered arm in arm in a circle at midfield in a show of solidarity.

Denmark coach Brian Riemer praised the dignified response of everyone involved.

“The most important thing is that Christian is doing well, and he has sent his regards to the players,” Riemer said.

“Now it’s about us standing together, as you could see that we did in the most dignified way on the field. It is about supporting one another and ensuring that everyone has a shoulder to lean on.”

As Danish football awaits further medical updates, Sunday’s events served as a stark reminder of one of the sport’s most frightening moments and highlighted once again the unity and compassion that can emerge in times of crisis.