Victor Agali: We must build Iwobi as our Okocha

Former Super Eagles striker Victor Agali has stated that Everton star Alex Iwobi must be encouraged to become the Jay-Jay Okocha of the current generation of the senior national team.

Iwobi celebrated his 24th birthday on Sunday and has long been touted as the heir apparent to his Uncle (Okocha) in the creative role of Nigeria’s midfield.

Agali who played with Okocha in the Super Eagles between 2000 and 2002 believes that Iwobi who has been the subject of some criticism, has not done badly for the team.

“The days of Friday Ekpo, Etim Esin and Jay Jay Okocha cannot be forgotten because they really served the country well,” began Agali to www.aclsports.com

“I don’t think Alex Iwobi is doing badly. I think he is doing very well from that position. He is still young and he will grow. All he needs is the support, not only from the press but also from the team itself,” adds the former Hansa Rostock star.

Nigeria’s head coach Gernot Rohr has been encouraged by many believers of the Super Eagles to get England raised duo Eberechi Eze and Ovie Ejaria as some form of competition for Iwobi.

Agali however thinks Iwobi is the only option the team has for now and must build him to their own taste.

“We have to build our own Okocha now in Iwobi. He is the option we have and we have to build him. That’s the PR about players.

“We need the press to push our players, we need you to be positive about our players. The young man (Iwobi) still has the time, he is doing well.”

Agali has worked in some ways as part of Rohr’s backroom staff and the Sydney 2000 Olympian reiterates his stance that Iwobi has all the capabilities to be Nigeria’s future Number 10.

‘He (Iwobi) has decided to leave Arsenal for Everton FC and he’s been playing so he just needs our support and if we are able to support him properly, I think he will be our future Number 10.

“All he needs is to be encouraged until we find someone that can give him another competition, fine but for now I’m okay with him and we just have to make him our next Number 10,” concluded Agali.