Fulham attacker Alex Iwobi admits a defensive role with Nigeria at AFCON had fans confused.

Iwobi says he missed the debate during the tournament as he was off social media at the time.

He told fulhamfc.com: “Bro, it's hot out there! Minimal air, bro! It's not an excuse, but playing a game every four days in those conditions was tough.

“Everyone said 'why is Alex not being creative?' but I've been told to keep the ball, manage the ball. That's the role I was told to do.

“I didn't see it but when we had to get interviewed, I got asked where the creativeness that I had at Fulham was. I was thinking 'is there like a speculation or something?' Then I found out later what was going on."

Iwobi added: “We got to the Final and though we could beat the host nation (Ivory Coast) again, but it just wasn't meant to be."