AFCON Countdown: Arokodare, Iwobi and Bassey Hit by Fresh Club Challenges
As Nigeria counts down to the Africa Cup of Nations with just 32 days to go, several Super Eagles stars are battling form, confidence, and managerial uncertainty at their respective clubs.
Among them, Tolu Arokodare, Alex Iwobi, and Calvin Bassey stand out—each navigating a turbulent phase that could shape both their club futures and their national team prospects.
Tolu Arokodare Faces Tough Premier League Transition
Arokodare’s arrival at Wolverhampton Wanderers was supposed to mark a new chapter in his rapidly rising career.
Tolu enjoyed a blistering season at Genk, where he scored 20 goals, dominated Belgian defences, and won the Ebony Shoe as the best African player in the league,
However, the expectation was that he would hit the ground running in England, instead, the 23-year-old has endured a difficult adaptation.
Seven Games, Zero Goals
Arokodare has made seven Premier League appearances without scoring, a stark contrast to the clinical finisher who terrorised defences in Belgium.
Although, he scored a goal in Wolves 4-3 defeat to top-flight Chelsea in the EFL Carabao Cup, where they unfortunately, got eliminated.
He has started just two league matches under former manager Vítor Pereira, who preferred alternatives such as Strand Larsen and Hee Chan Hwang, citing the Nigerian’s dip in form and sharpness.
His struggles have extended to international duty. In his last six appearances for Nigeria, he has scored only once.
During the crucial World Cup playoff final against DR Congo, Arokodare was largely ineffective, registering just one attempt, a header that drifted wide.
A New Start Under Rob Edwards
Wolves’ recent appointment of Rob Edwards presents a fresh lifeline.
Edwards’ approach, built on direct attacking play, fast transitional football, and heavy use of wing-backs delivering crosses, could be tailor-made for Arokodare.
The striker’s physicality, aerial ability, and instinct in the box align well with Edwards’ coaching philosophy.
And the timing is crucial: Wolves are winless in 11 matches, sit eight points from safety, and desperately need a reliable goalscorer.
For Nigeria, Arokodare must rediscover his confidence to stand any chance of making the final AFCON squad or challenging for a starting role as the team seeks redemption after missing the World Cup.
Iwobi & Bassey Central to Fulham’s Struggles
At Fulham, two other Super Eagles mainstays, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, are also at a crossroads, but for reasons tied to their club’s declining fortunes and their manager’s fragile job security.
Marco Silva Under Pressure
Fulham boss Marco Silva is facing intense scrutiny following a poor start to the season.
The club is now one point above the relegation zone, and according to insider Jacob Ben, Fulham’s hierarchy is actively evaluating his future.
The tension is worsened by Silva’s hesitation to commit long-term. The club attempted to extend his contract last summer, but the Portuguese manager, whose current deal expires in July 2026, preferred to keep his options open.
Even with the current slump, Silva’s achievements at Fulham remain impressive:
First sustained Premier League stay for Fulham in 10 years
10th-place league finish
Two FA Cup quarter-finals
One League Cup semi-final
Club record for most Premier League points in a season
Yet football is unforgiving. With results dipping and relegation danger looming, his future at Craven Cottage is increasingly uncertain, placing Iwobi and Bassey in the middle of a potentially destabilising transition.
How Silva Revitalised Iwobi
Alex Iwobi, who signed from Everton on 2 September 2023 on a five-year contract, has blossomed under Silva.
Before joining, Iwobi reportedly held a detailed conversation with the manager, who laid out Fulham’s project and long-term plans. This pitch convinced him to join the club.
Silva transformed Iwobi from an inconsistent performer into a versatile, trusted midfield engine. Today, he plays comfortably in three roles:
Attacking midfielder
Central midfielder
Left winger
His resurgence has made him essential to both Fulham and the Super Eagles.
Bassey’s Rebirth Under Silva
Calvin Bassey, who joined Fulham last July, also benefitted from Silva’s coaching. After a confidence-shattering spell at Ajax, Silva backed the defender wholeheartedly.
Bassey was entrusted with major responsibilities:
Centre-back
Right-back
Part of a rotating three-man defence
His revival has been one of Silva’s biggest success stories and it helped re-establish him as a key figure for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Pressure Intensifies for Nigeria’s Stars Ahead of 2025 AFCON
With the AFCON countdown in full swing, Nigeria’s preparation is already under heavy scrutiny following their failure to qualify for the World Cup.
How each player responds in the coming weeks could determine not just their club futures, but also Nigeria’s hopes of lifting the AFCON trophy, to consolidate their World Cup elimination.