Alex Iwobi is seeking to outrightly own the Premier League assist record for a Nigerian player when Fulham host West Ham United in a London derby at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon.
Iwobi and the legendary Nwankwo Kanu jointly hold the record as the Nigerian footballers to have made the most assists in the English Premier League as both men have a total number of 29.
Arguably Nigeria’s greatest footballing export, Kanu would enjoy great success in the English Premier League with Arsenal despite also playing for both Portsmouth and West Bromwich Albion.
The two-time African Footballer of the Year enjoyed a trophy-laden spell at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger, winning two EPL titles and two FA Cups, the first of those a domestic double in 2002.
Second to only Shola Ameobi for Premier League appearances among Nigerian players, Kanu supplied 29 assists in his 273 matches but he can be surpassed by Iwobi when Fulham welcome West Ham.
However, Iwobi who has also contributed 29 assists in 256 Premier League games for Arsenal, Everton and Fulham has gone off the boil as regards his setting up a team-mate in recent weeks.
Iwobi’s last Premier League assist came exactly five months ago and that was precisely on April 14, 2024 when Fulham co-incidentally defeated West Ham 2-0 at the London Stadium.
On that occasion, the attacking midfielder set up Andreas Pereira to score the Cottagers’ second goal against the Hammers who were playing right at home in the 72nd minute.
If Iwobi gets to set up his teammate when Fulham face West Ham in their next EPL game of the 2024/25 season, he will become the Nigerian player with the most assist in the history of England’s top-flight.
The Nigerian duo of Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, meanwhile, have started each of the three games played by Fulham in the EPL this season with the former scoring one goal.
