Alex Iwobi draws level with Salah, now 25 games behind Kolo Touré

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has matched Mohamed Salah’s 328 Premier League appearances, leaving only Kolo Touré ahead of them among African players.

The milestone came at Coventry City on Saturday 24 October, where Fulham won 1-0 through an 80th-minute goal from Oscar Bobb. Iwobi was substituted in the 74th minute, while compatriot Calvin Bassey played the full 90.

It was Fulham’s second league win in a row. Soccernet looked at Bassey’s game in its piece on Bassey and previewed the game in its Coventry v Fulham preview.

Where 328 puts Iwobi on the African list

Iwobi, 29, has played his Premier League football for Arsenal, Everton and Fulham. Touré, with 353 appearances, is the only African player above him and Salah.

Among Nigerians the gap is wide. Shola Ameobi, the next-highest, has 298, which leaves Iwobi 30 games clear.

Analysis: 25 more games is closer than it sounds

Iwobi needs 25 more league appearances to equal Touré’s 353 and 26 to pass it. Fulham have played eight of their 38 league games, so 30 remain this season.

If Iwobi features in all but a handful of them, he could overtake Touré before the season ends. That depends on fitness and on Fulham continuing to pick him, and being taken off on 74 minutes at Coventry is a reminder that starts are not guaranteed.

His next chances to add to the tally come against Aston Villa, Newcastle and Manchester City.