Like Okocha, like Iwobi? Nigeria midfielder replies critic through rap just like his uncle did 30 years ago

Alexander Iwobi has been in the spotlight for his contribution to Fulham’s climb up the Premier League table but was harshly criticised after Nigeria’s failure to win the AFCON

There are many things that run in the Okocha/Iwobi family line. One of the obvious things is football. But did you know that mercurial uncle Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha released a dance rap track in 1994 titled ‘I am J J’?

Watch the video here:

Just as his uncle tried to address critics in that track 30 years ago, Fulham’s Nigerian midfielder, Alexander Iwobi has chosen to reply his own critics using his rap skills as he returned to social media after taking a hiatus following backlash faced after the AFCON final loss, Soccernet.ng reports.

The football star, who recently led his Premier League team to a big victory against Manchester United, had earlier taken a social media break and deleted all his Instagram posts due to the mass criticism and hateful comments he received from Nigerian football fans after Nigeria’s loss to Ivory Coast.

The cyberbullying was one which sparked outrage amongst his fellow Super Eagles teammates, who expressed their disappointment in the fans and stood in solidarity with Iwobi. Iwobi has been unfairly compared to his wildly talented uncle Jay Jay, but they play different styles.

Iwobi has now made his comeback to social media after being away since February. The Fulham player took to Instagram and Twitter to share the short video, giving his fans and followers a glimpse of what he has been up to in recent times while also sharing a snippet of what appears to be his unreleased rap song.

In the yet-to-be released track, Iwobi delves into his rollercoaster football journey, narrating his challenges and triumphs.

He also takes the opportunity to respond to naysayers and trolls who attacked him for his performance during the AFCON final match.
Watch the video here:

Lately… pic.twitter.com/PfLpUrsCiw

— Alexander Iwobi (@alexiwobi) March 3, 2024

“They said I wasn’t good enough,” rapped the midfielder, who rose through the Arsenal FC academy to play in their first team. Iwobi represented England’s youth teams but chose to play for the Nigeria senior national team, the Super Eagles.

“Never thought I’d make it, now when I step them be recognizing faces. Invitations I’ll be going out to different places”, Iwobi begins, as he reminisces on how far he has come, the fame and recognition the game has brought him.

Iwobi goes ahead to address those who criticized him for being active on social media and sharing his life off the pitch, saying “I couldn’t give a damn that they treated me like a disposable”.

His next line “Setbacks in the past but there’s so much I could show you” points to the struggles the Fulham player has dealt with in the past that the public is unaware of.

Iwobi tells of his rise above the struggles and his achievements in the following lines saying “Everything was worth it, now look at me I’m global.”

A standout moment is when he proudly declares “now I’m costing 30 Mill…”, alluding to his 30 million euros move from Arsenal to Everton in 2019. However, his current market value is lower at 28 million euros.

The rap song ended with Iwobi speaking on his intentions to improve and that he has so much more to give. It is self-motivating to see him setting goals for himself.

Several football stars and teammates like William Troost Ekong, Frank Onyeka and Kenneth Omeruo took to the comment section to show the 27-year-old love and support.

Iwobi’s musical revelation comes as a pleasant surprise and is definitely something to look out for in the coming days. But if anything, it shows that it runs in the family as his uncle Okocha had already set the pace three decades ago.