Alex Iwobi: Super Eagles star explains why Rohr did not play him as a No 10 at World Cup 2018
Iwobi explains that Rohr wanted to try out new things with the Super Eagles at the 2018 World Cup
Super Eagles star Alex Iwobi has explained why Gernot Rohr did not play him as a No 10 at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
One of Rohr’s most questionable decisions at the 2018 World Cup was his choice to play Iwobi on the wings in Super Eagles opening fixture in Russia.
In that 0-2 loss to Croatia, Iwobi played from the wings, alternating between the right and left wing.
He was, however, Super Eagles most creative player on the night, prompting questions from critics and observers why he was not played from the middle.
The 22-year-old, however, believes Rohr wanted to try out new things.
"The coach didn't put me in that position because he wanted to try something new, try something else, so I had no problems because at the end of the day it is what the manager decides is what goes,” Iwobi told BBC Sport.
Iwobi disappointed
The Arsenal playmaker was one of the youngsters expected to shine at the World Cup but he only started one game for the Super Eagles of Nigeria and played just a few minutes in their other two games.
The midfielder admits that he is disappointed but not only at his own performance but that of the Super Eagles.
"It's not just me or my tournament, it's Nigeria's tournament," he said.
"We had a lot of hopes and believe that we could do well. We are very proud of ourselves and are going to take the positives of course.
"We are just unfortunate about the last minute goal that came against Argentina led to a defeat that knocked us out of the group. We are taking positives but we are very happy with what we did.
"The squad is young and we picked important lessons that will hopefully help us going forward.
"Attention will soon shift to the Nations Cup and we must make our World Cup lessons count."
The Super Eagles lost two games and won one in a tough Group D of the 2018 World Cup that included Croatia, Iceland and Argentina.
After the loss to Croatia, Nigeria bounced back to beat Iceland 2-0 before falling 1-2 to Argentina in their most-not-lose last game.
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