The Nation Newspaper

Tag: John Obi Mikel

  • Europa: Mikel, Nwakeme lead Trabzonspor against Bassel

     

    Former Super Eagles Captain John Obi Mikel and compatriot Anthony Nwakeme will be teaming up in all fronts as Trabzonspor host Bassel in one of the UEFA Europa matches lined up today.

    The duo of Mikel and Nwakeme were impressive in their last league match with Nwakeme scoring one of the goals in the 4-1 defeat of Besiktas, and will be hoping to replicate that performance against visiting Bassel.

    Although Mikel saw yellow in that encounter, it will not stop him from doing his usual midfield maestro job for the club today.

    Basel are coming into today’s match fresh from a 3-0 victory over Luzern in the Swiss super League. It thus promises to be a tie full of fireworks as both teams are in high spirits after impressive last outings.

    Nigerian international Ogenyi onaize will however be missing in Tranzonspor action as he is gradually returning to fitness from injury.

    Elsewhere Nigeria’s Uche Agbo will be ready to do exploit for Sporting Braga as they host Slovakian side Slovan Bratislava. Braga head into the match fresh from a lone goal victory away to Portimonense in their local league..

    Although Agbo has been an unused substitute in Braga’s recent matches he will nonetheless be available for the Primeira liga side who currently occupy 11th position in the 13- team log .

    Nwakaeme eyeing impressive outing against Bassel

    Nigerian born England junior international Bukayo Saka who plies his trade with Arsenal, will hopefully be on duty for the Gunners as they take on Belgium side standard liege.

    The Emirates landlords will be hoping to continue after two impressive outings in two matches. Only few days back they held Manchester United to a 1-1 draw in the premier league coming on the heels of a 5-0 demolition of Nottingham Forest in the league cup.

    Twenty four Europa league matches will be on parade today including AZ against Manchester United.

     

     

     

     

  • Between Obi Mikel and Lionel Messi who deserves more accolades

    Former Super Eagles Captain John Obi Mikel and current La Albiceleste of Argentina Captain Lionel Messi have indeed come a long way and indeed deserve accolades

    That both players have in the course of the game left their footsteps on the sand of football history is to put it mildly.

    Both players locked horns in quest for honours at the FIFA Under 20 World cup in Netherlands 14 years ago, gingered their teams all the way to the final with Lionel Messi running away with the Golden boot after scoring two penalties against Nigeria and Argentina emerging champions.

    Nigeria’s only goal on that occasion was scored by in the 53rd minute by Chinedu Ogbuke.

    Mikel who only few days ago sealed a two year contract with Turkish premier league side Trabzonspor, the fifth club of his over 15 years football career and Messi who has been described as a one club man haven spent his close to 16 years soccer career with Barcelona all the way, have indeed seen it all. The two Olympians have played the game at its highest levels and boast mouthwatering awards and titles including the most cherished Champions league titles.

    Although five time Ballon d Or winner Messi could be said to parade more awards the exploits of Mikel cannot be waved off Prompting some soccer fans to ask the question between Mikel and Messi who is the greatest or better still who is a more complete player.

    Messi celebrates after scoring for Barcelona

    Those for the Argentine captain point to his numerous awards and titles as well as his over 420 goals for the Catalonians while those who point to the direction of Mikel point highlight the  fact that he has played for five different clubs namely  Lyn, Chelsea, Tianjin TEDA, Middlesbrough and now Trabzonspor.

    Ability to fit into new clubs and still deliver supporters of the Nigerian say is the hallmark of greatness.

    Messi as far as they are concerned is great and has continued to do a great job for Barcelona but Mikel stands out with his ability to rise to the occasion not just for one club but in different clubs.

    Blending with new teammates with every move to a new club is not a walk in the park and players who are able to do that a school of thought insists certainly deserve accolades.

  • Mikel confesses: Burundi were too hard to crack

    Super Eagles Captain John Obi Mikel did not mince words in a post-match interview after the team managed to scrap a lone goal victory over Burundi on Saturday.

    Mikel who is a free agent following the end of his short term contract with Championship side Middlesbrough revealed that the original plan was to go for early victory but noted that the Burundian side held their ground making it difficult for the Eagles to  have a smooth sail.

    “It was indeed a tough match. We played a compact team that was not easy to break into,” he admitted even as he expressed delight that the Eagles ultimately earned the three points at stake.

    An apparently relieved Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr agreed with his Captain that it was a tough match.  He however blamed the struggle on setbacks in the camp no thanks to virus that attacked the players within the week making it impossible for many of them to function to full capacity.

    The former Niger and Gabon coach nonetheless remained optimistic that the team will play better as the tournament progresses.

    “It was definitely a tough match and we are happy to have gotten the result.  We had some challenges with virus attack that knocked out some of the players, but I believe we will get better with every match,” he enthused.

    Rohr who clocks 66 on June 28 will be hoping to record another victory against Guinea to garner six points in two matches and be in a position to celebrate a super birthday two days before taking on in-laws Madagascar on June 30th.

     

     

  • 2019 AFCON: Eagles ready to soar — Mikel

    AFTER more than two weeks of intensive preparations, John Obi Mikel says the Super Eagles are ready for their opening match of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations against the Swallows of Burundi on Saturday in Alexandria.

    The Eagles’ captain made this declaration when the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Amaju Pinnick paid the team a visit to their Helnan Palestine Hotel camp in Alexandria yesterday.

    Mikel assured Pinnick who is also the 1st Vice President of CAF that he and his teammates would show 100 per cent commitment to all the matches they would play at Africa’s flagship tournament.

    Read Also: Captain: Rohr insists on Mikel

    He promised that the three-time African champions will be very professional on and off the pitch and do all they can to make the country proud.

    “Mr President, we thank you for all that you have done for this team over the years, as the head of Nigerian Football. We appreciate your honest approach to all issues that concern our welfare.

    “We all are aware of what is at stake. This tournament will not be child’s play or a stroll in the park, but we are ready. It will be tough but when it gets tough, we will get tougher.”

    Earlier, Pinnick had challenged the team to stay focused on winning the top prize while warning them not to underrate their opponents.

    “Do not take any team for granted. Easy groups exist only on paper; things are different on the pitch. The NFF will ensure you get all that is due to you. This is a very important tournament and Nigerians are fully behind you. You should do your very best not to disappoint them.

    “The NFF is happy about the situation in camp; the commitment, discipline and dedication of each and every one of you. You have all the quality of a champion team and everything about you is positive.”

  • Watching Mikel, Musa a big motivation

    Villarreal forward Samuel Chukwueze revealed that he draws motivation from Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel and Ahmed Musa when they play for the country.

    Chukwueze earned his invitation to the national team for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after producing a string of impressive performances in the Spanish top-flight during the 2018/2019 season.

    During his debut season in La Liga, the 20-year-old contributed five goals and two assists in 26 appearances for the Yellow Submarine.

    In March, Chukwueze made his international debut against Uganda in a friendly game and he is currently one of the youngests player in the Super Eagles’ camp in Asaba, alongside Sporting Charleroi’s Victor Osimhen and goalkeeper Francis Uzoho.

    After training with the whole team this week, he disclosed the influence Mikel and Musa have on his career.

    Read Also: Captain: Rohr insists on Mikel

    “When I was young, I used to watch Mikel Obi and Ahmed Musa; 2010 and 2014 World Cup. They always motivate me,” Chukwueze told the media.

    “Now it is a dream come true, they always motivate me to keep working hard so I can reach my potential.”

    As part of preparations for the Afcon, Nigeria are scheduled to play against Zimbabwe at the Stephen Keshi Stadium on Saturday.

    They will make their 18th AFCON appearance in Group B where they have been paired against Guinea, Madagascar and Burundi.

  • Rohr insists on Mikel as Super Eagles captain

    Super Eagles’ coach Gernot Rohr has praised Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel after the midfielder’s early arrival at the national team’s get-together in Asaba.

    The German said that Mikel had demonstrated commitment to contribute to the team’s success at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

    The number 10 had not played for the Super Eagles since he went the distance in the 1-2 loss to Argentina on June 26, 2018, and there were fears that he had called time on his international career.

    ”Mikel has at all times been a professional and the fact that he arrived here early means that he is very committed to do well and to lead us,” Rohr said.

    Read Also: Super Eagles strikers give Rohr sleepless night

    ”We expect 25 players here but some of them cannot come in today because they had games– like Ighalo came yesterday from China — Alex Iwobi is also being expected.

    ”So, the team will be complete in two days but already 18 players have arrived here in Asaba. Training will start immediately on Tuesday to get our players ready.”

    The Super Eagles will be having two training sessions on Monday, with the morning and evening workout starting 1000 hours and 1645 hours respectively.

  • Mikel, Etebor shine as Middleborough hit Stoke 1-0

     

    Super Eagles duo John Obi Mikel and Oghenekaro Etebo enjoyed full 90 minutes action as Middlesbrough hosted Stock City in the English Championship Friday. Although it was Boro what had the last laugh following their lone goal victory, Etebor and his teammates gave a good account of themselves and even dominated proceedings but the goals refused to come.

    Boro had shot into the lead as early as the 2nd minute of the match thanks to Congo DR import Britt Assombalonga. Boro who had 42% possession in the match, managed to checkmate their visiting opponents who had greater possession control from converting any of the chances created.

    The victory is considered a big achievement in the Boro’s camp as it is their first in the last four championship games.

    The coach Tony Pulis tutored side prior to Friday’s victory had lost three games to Norwich City, Bristol City and Swansea City respectively. Stoke City on their part recorded their last victory against Blackburn Rovers weeks before a string of draw games against shepherd Wednesday and Reading.

    Friday’s defeat thus marks the first defeat in four matches.  Middlesbrough are 6th on the log with 67 points in 43 matches. Stoke will however continue in their struggle to better their standing on the log as they are 16th on the log with 52 points in 43 matches. Boro will next face Nottingham Forest away on Monday while Stoke host Norwich City same day.

  • Tony Pulis banking on Mikel,Besic partnership for better outing

     

    Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis is hoping that the partnership between Super Eagles midfielder John Obi Mikel and Everton loanee  Muhamed Besic will further push Riverside side to greater heights as they chase a return to the elite division.

    Mikel who joined Middlesbrough from Chinese Super League side Tiajin Teda has been very impressive in the matches he has played so far with fans of the club optimistic that a return to the elite division is very imminent. Pulis is not only happy with the performance of the Nigerian captain but doing a good job on the pitch but also serving as a major motivator to other players.

    Besic, who is on loan at the Riverside Stadium from Everton, showed his class this past weekend when he set up both goals in Boro’s 2-0 win over Queens Park Rangers.

    Pulis was delighted with the performance of the Bosnian against the Hoops after he struggled to find form in earlier matches.

    ”I thought Besic was excellent in the first half, that was like him last year,” Pulis told reporters post-match.

    “We’ve got to get him up to that level. There are 13 games left, that’s a lot of games.

    “And if we can get Besic up to that level that he was at last year, him and John [Obi Mikel]…yeah, that’s an awesome pair in midfield.

    “It might help him [Besic] that the two of them are close together; they both live next to each other now, so John might bring that out of him.”

    Mikel, who played the full 90 minutes against QPR, has been partnered in central midfield by Besic in three of his five starts at the club thus far.

    Middlesbrough will return to Championship action on Saturday 2 March when they play away to Wigan Athletic.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Mikel plays for 90 minutes in Middlesbrough s 1-1 draw

     

    Super Eagles Captain John Obi Mikel was in action for full 90 minutes Saturday as Middlesbrough were held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Leeds united at the Riverside Stadium.

    Mikel has now featured in three games for his new club Middlesbrough.  The first for the Nigerian captain was in the 1-1 in FA Cup tie against Newport, the second was a 3-2 away win over West Brom while his third outing is Saturday 1-1 home draw against Leeds united. The former Chelsea star was not listed in Middlesbrough’s second FA Cup return leg that ended 2-0 in favour of Newport County.

    Visiting Leeds could be said to have come prepared to rattle Boro at home, commanding 61% possession as against 39% maintained by Mikel and his teammates.

    Lewis Wing shot the homers into the lead 47th minute and Boro looked as though they were going to run away with a win with three points up for grabs, but that was not to be as Leeds Kalvin Philips broke the hearts of Boro  in the 11th minute of added time.

    A massive 11 minutes was added after regulation time of 90 minutes and this could be explained with centre referee Darren England having to reach out for his whistle 20 times as Boro committed 11 fouls while Leeds committed 9 fouls in the course of the game with two yellow cards going to Boro and one for Leeds.

    In addition Leeds youngster Jack Clarke was treated by paramedics on the bench for feeling unwell and later taken to hospital as the game is delayed for seven minutes .

    Boro currently in the 4th position on the log with 51 points in 30 matches will be hoping to earn maximum three points or at worst a point when they face Sheffield United away on Wednesday.

     

     

     

     

  • Chelsea Memory: John Terry was a Motivational’Beast’-Mikel

     

    Super Eagles Captain John Obi Mikel came very close to calling former England Captain and his Chelsea teammate John Terry a ‘progressive beast’ and winning mentality expert.

    Mikel in a recent chat with the Sun, revealed how JT as he was fondly called left no one in doubt that he was indeed in charge of the Blues team and viewed winning as an achievement that should neither be compromised not treated with kid gloves.

    Terry in the dressing room according to the Nigerian international who recently sealed a short term deal with English Championship side Middlesbrough, was ready to knock down everything and go to any length to send his message across and let every player know that going out on the pitch to win takes precedence over any other thing.

    His approach he noted however endeared him to the team that was equally ready to follow his footsteps all the way, adding that the hunger among the players to succeed was an added advantage.

    ‘We were just so hungry. Did we take it a bit too far? Sometimes, yes, we had to,’

    ‘There were people fighting, grabbing round the neck, JT smashing the table and drinks. If we were losing a game you did not want to be in the dressing room.

    ‘The manager would speak and then leave it to JT to carry on. He smashes the whole place up and then we go back out and get the win

    ‘What he said, we followed. What he did, we followed. We looked at him for a reaction and we followed.

    ‘No matter what manager came in, you had to know the figurehead of the club was John Terry,” he recalled

    Mikel who is hoping to contribute to Boro’s return to the English Premier League achieved most of laurels in his over a decade sojourn with Chelsea, lifting three FA Cups, the Europa and Champions League titles.

    Boro who suffered a second relegation in 2016 are eager to return to the elite division with Manager Tony Pulis confident that contributions of the Nigerian will fire the club to its target. They currently sit in fifth place in the division on 50 points.