Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has defended his viral hotel video after clarifying that the footage did not show the team’s official accommodation ahead of Thursday’s World Cup qualifying clash in Morocco.
The video, which went viral on social media, drew outrage from Nigerian fans who described the facility as substandard and unfit for the national team. Many compared it to a school hostel, sparking a heated online debate about the treatment of Nigerian players.
New findings have revealed that the building in Iwobi’s video was not the team’s official hotel.
According to Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe, the Super Eagles are actually lodged at Rive Hotel, a much more luxurious facility located near the initially shown building.
The clip, reportedly filmed showing a view from the hotel window of a cheap short-let apartment close to the team’s main hotel, had been misinterpreted by many as the players’ actual accommodation.
In response to the growing controversy, Iwobi clarified that he never made any derogatory comment about the hotel.
‘I didn’t say anything; I just showed the video’, the Fulham midfielder said in his video on Snapchat, suggesting that his post was taken out of context.
‘Are you seeing life? It’s all about perspective, because I snapped at the view I have, and people are thinking these guys are ungrateful. Brother, I never said one thing. I just did one look like this, never said a word. Because, you see, in life, some people don’t even have yards; some of them don’t have beds’.
Iwobi added that he was content with his surroundings and fully focused on the upcoming game.
‘Bro, I’m comfy. I’m playing Mario Kart. Anyways, let me go and focus, I have a big game coming up’, he said.
Efoghe also clarified the situation, stating, ‘What trended earlier was the view of an old building that can be seen from a window. Rive was chosen because of its proximity to the team’s training facility and the stadium here in Rabat’.
The Nigerian team has begun preparations for the decisive encounter at the Rive Hotel in Rabat, following the arrival of players and officials.
As of Monday afternoon, the number of players in the Super Eagles camp had risen to fourteen ahead of the team’s first training session.
The Super Eagles are currently preparing for their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff fixture against Gabon on Thursday.
