Former President General Ibrahim Babangida could not hold his joy Saturday as Super Eagles flogged Desert Warriors of Algeria 3-1 to earn their second victory of the World Cup qualifiers.
He did not only give the entire team a pat on the back for the impressive run but also singled out Chelsea duo Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel who scored 25th , 42nd and 90th minute goals for Nigeria respectively. The Minna born General went ahead to urge his followers on twitter to retweet his submission as a mark of love for the Nigerian team who by their performance have consolidated on leadership of the group with six points and five goals in the kitty .
“I am really proud of the super Eagles. RETWEET if you also do. Mikel and Moses” he enthused
The encouter drew creme dela creme of the society including senate President Bukola Saraki to the nest of Champions. Also on hand to cheer the Eagles to victory was the former Akwa Ibom State Governor Senator Godswill Akpabio who incidentally built the venue
One of the thrilling highlights was the moment Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi re-enacted the trade mark of his nephew and former Super Eagles captain Austin Okocha, flipping the ball above the heads of two Algerian players to the admiration of fans.
An equally satisfied former international Jonathan Akpoborie later summed up his feeling “Very good victory for Nigeria today,” he said
Tag: John Obi Mikel
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Eagles’ performance thrills IBB
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Nigeria 3-1 Algeria: Moses, Mikel fire Eagles to vital win
Chelsea duo Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel starred as Nigeria moved into full control of their World Cup qualifying group with a 3-1 home victory over Algeria in Uyo.
Moses and Mikel were on target in the first half, before Nabil Bentaleb’s goal after the break gave Algeria hope of a comeback.
But Moses scored his second in the final moments as Gernot Rohr’s side won their second straight game in the final stage of CAF qualification.
The win puts the Super Eagles four points clear of nearest challengers Cameroon in Group B, with Algeria and Zambia a further one behind. Only the pool winners will make it to Russia in 2018.
Moses had already created the best early chance in the first meeting between the two sides since the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations when he cut inside and fired wide, but the Chelsea winger made no mistake after 25 minutes.
After collecting a pass from Mikel, Moses took advantage of poor defending from Hicham Belkaroui to fire into the bottom corner, before being booked for removing his shirt in celebration.
Bentaleb squandered a wonderful chance to equalise for Algeria, firing over from eight yards after controlling from Yacine Brahimi’s excellent run and cross down the left – and that miss cost the visitors when Nigeria doubled their lead three minutes before the break.
Etebo Oghenekaro’s pass found a shocked Mikel completely unmarked in the middle of Algeria’s box after he had been played onside by full-back Aissa Mandi and the captain finished with ease for his first international goal in over three years.
Algeria pressed in a bid to get back into the game and Bentaleb scored a stunning goal with 23 minutes remaining, rifling into the top corner from 30 yards after being found by Riyad Mahrez.
Brahimi then came close with two late efforts, but Moses grabbed his second in stoppage-time, finishing coolly from substitute Ahmed Musa’s cross as Nigeria secured a win that puts them in a strong position with four games to play. -
Mikel not ready to quit Chelsea
After having more playing time under Coach Guus Hiddink, Nigeria’s John Obi Mikel believes his future still lies with Chelsea.
Despite the obvious departure of Hiddink with Italian Antonio Conte taking charge, Mikel who had spent 10 years at Stanford Bridge still believes he can play his way into the new coach team.
With just one year left in the current contract of the mid-fielder, the Super Eagles star is hoping that he can be part of the plans of the incoming new head-coach Antonio Conte.
Mikel`s love of life at Stamford Bridge could explain why, back in January, the 29-year-old turned down moves to Turkish football with the Sun reporting that both Galatasaray and Fenerbache were keen to do a deal for the player and that a reputed salary of £110,000 a week was on the table.
With the change at the managerial helm imminent, there are mixed reactions trailing the possible stay for John Obi Mikel under Antonio Conte.
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Injury knocks out Mikel against Maribor
Chelsea will take on Maribor in the Round three of the Champions League Group G tie at the Stamford Bridge tonight with Super Eagles’ John Obi Mikel missing the tie due to foot injury.
According to Soccerlens, the Blues, having drawn their last UCL tie against Schalke at home, would be looking for nothing less than full three points.
Like Mikel, Ramires and Chelsea goal machine, Diego Costa have also been ruled out of the encounter. “Diego Costa hasn’t trained because he’s not in condition to do so. Tomorrow (today) he can’t play,” Mourinho said.
Ramires returned to training yesterday but Mourinho has confirmed that the Brazilian won’t be fit enough to play.
Willian may retain his place after Mourinho has ruled out Andre Schurrle for this tie as well. In the attacking department, Chelsea will continue to miss star striker Diego Costa through injury.
The task, however, won’t be easy, as Maribor are a compact side who are unbeaten in their last eight matches in the Champions League (including the qualifiers).
“Maribor’s results tell you a lot. Their results away from home have been very impressive. We have full respect for them,” Mourinho said.
Chelsea may give rest to some of their key players, especially with the crucial Premier League clash with Manchester United coming up this weekend.
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MARIBOR TIE: Foot injury stops Mikel
Chelsea will be without the Super Eagles midfielder John Obi Mikel when they face Maribor in the Champions League Group G clash tonight.
Reports in the team’s camp have it that the Nigerian international is nursing a foot injury which has automatically ruled him out of the game.
Apart from Mikel, Chelsea boss Mourinho confirmed that Ramires (groin) and Germam forward Amdre Schurrle (illness) is also not ready.
Although, Ramires and Schurrle trained with the first team yesterday but Mikel did not and Jose Mourinho ruled all three out of the game.
Mikel, who is now down the pecking order under Mourinho this season, also missed Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park and has been hindered by persistent hamstring problems this season.
It is yet to be seen whether Mikel will be available for this weekend’s English Premier League clash with Manchester United on Sunday.
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Mikel, Moses missing in Chelsea’s squad
SUPER Eagles aces John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses were not part of Jose Mourinho’s 26-man squad which arrived in Austria on Monday for the start of Chelsea’s two-week European training camp.
Both players helped Nigeria to Round of 16 finish at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil and are expected back in their club for pre-season activities.
However, Mikel’s omission will no doubt fuel speculations that the former Lyn Oslo player’s eight-year stint at Stamford Bridge could be coming to an end.
The 27-year-old started in just 11 league games last season, and recent reports in Italy claim he has been offered to a number of Serie A teams including Inter Milan for around £6million.
Moses on the other hand is being chased by five Premier League clubs – despite failing to make an impression during his loan spell at Liverpool last season.
According to reports, West Brom are leading the chase for the 23-year-old’s signature with Swansea, Newcastle, Southampton and Everton also keeping an eye on developments.
The Blues‘ three big summer signings Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa and Filipe Luis were part of the squad that touched down early in the afternoon before heading to their hotel.
Youngsters Patrick Bamford, Nathan Ake, Jeremie Boga, Lewis Baker, Nathaniel Chalobah and Izzy Brown were also part of the team. Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, Oscar, Ramires and Andre Schurrle were omitted after their extended World Cup campaigns.
January signing Mohamed Salah also travelled with the squad after receiving confirmation that he will not have to return to Egypt to do military service.
Chelsea’s first game of their pre-season tour is versus Wolfsberger AC on Wednesday, followed by matches against Olimpija, Vitesse and Werder Bremen.
Their final match will be against Ferecavros in Budapest on the 10th August.
Travelling squad in full:
Petr Cech
Matej Delac
Mitchell Beeney
Mark Schwarzer
Branislav Ivanovic
Oriol Romeu
Kurt Zouma
Andreas Christensen
John Terry
Gary Cahill
Nathan Ake
Cesar Azpilicueta
Marco van Ginkel
Nemanja Matic
Nathaniel Chalobah
Mohamed Salah
Jeremie Boga
Lewis Baker
John Swift
Cesc Fabregas
Patrick Bamford
Fernando Torres
Diego Costa
Dominic Solanke
Filipe Luis
Isaiah Brown
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Mikel: Eagles fear no foe
Nigeria set off for the FIFA World Cup in a bullish mood with midfielder John Obi Mikel confident of qualification from Group F.
In one of the less eye-catching groups, Argentina are heavy favourites with Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran and Nigeria expected to be locked in a battle for second.
Mikel, though, insists the African side have little to fear against any of their opponents.
“We’re going to approach the Iran and Bosnia game in the same way,” he said. “Even when we play Argentina we’ll approach it the same way. It doesn’t matter who we face. We want to get out of the group stages and see what happens.”
Mikel believes the youth among Nigeria’s ranks will be key as they aim to make a splash on the biggest stage.
“I think the guys are a bit more hungry,” he said. “There are a lot of young players in the team and they’re all hungry.
“I think that’s the mentality we have. Hopefully we’ll have a good tournament.”
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CHELSEA, INTER BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS FOR MIKEL
IT IS understood that a line of communication has been opened between representatives of John Obi Mikel,Chelsea and Inter Milan regarding the transfer of the Nigeria international to Italy in the summer.
It is no longer a secret that Inter Milan want to bolster their ranks with the acquisition of the defensive midfielder after the World Cup.
And everything indicates that the 26 – year – old would be joining the Nerazzurri on loan if they fail to meet his transfer fee thought to be around 17 million euros.
Mikel, who has been at Chelsea for the past eight years, still has a contract until the summer of 2017.
He has managed only 9 starts this season, his fewest in an English Premier League campaign.
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MIKEL BENCHED IN BLUES DERBY WIN
SUPER EAGLES and Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel was an unused sub in the Blues 4-0 whitewash of Tottenham Hotspur yesterday’s London derby at Stamford Bridge.
The Nigeria international who was in action for the Eagles in the midweek international friendly against Mexico’s El Tri was not considered for action by Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho as his side moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League courtesy of the victory.
Two goals and a sending off in the space of four second-half minutes changed the complexion of the game, as the Blues extended their lead over the chasing pack in style.
The home side came close to making the breakthrough early on as Eden Hazard rounded Hugo Lloris when played through on goal, but he could not find the back of the net, instead firing wide of the post.
Spurs had a couple of chances to open the scoring themselves in the first half, as first Nabil Bentaleb burst into the box before poking an effort wide, before Sandro latched onto a clearance just outside the area, firing the resulting volley towards goal for Petr Cech to push wide.
The first goal of the contest came courtesy of Samuel Eto’o, with the striker slotting the ball past Lloris having latched onto an error by Jan Vertonghen in the Spurs’ defence to give Chelsea the lead.
Four minutes later Hazard doubled the hosts’ advantage from the spot, with the referee awarding a penalty after Youness Kaboul was adjudged to have brought down Eto’o, with the defender being shown a straight red card as a result.
As the game edged towards its close, two moments of madness condemned Tim Sherwood’s side to a heavy defeat as Ba found the back of the net twice following more errors at the back.
A Sandro slip allowed Ba to score his first, before Kyle Walker’s weak header back to his keeper was intercepted by the striker to add his second and Chelsea’s fourth of the evening.
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Hayatou and CAF 2013 Awards
SIR: The Confederation of African Football (CAF), last week in Lagos, honoured lovers of football and the men and women that exhibited sterling performance in the round leather game in the year 2013. It was a well attended event. It brought together the movers and shakers of the nation of Nigeria. The political lords, business moguls, sports administrators, entertainers and host of others greeted the event. The ceremony honoured those that the Issa Hayatou-led CAF asserted were distinguished personalities for their exploits for the year 2013.
Prior to the event, billboards, posters and flyers all battle for space around the city of Lagos, adorning messages related to the event. The award dominated the pages of newspapers and programmes both on radio and television. The event was popular in Nigeria for one reason: Chelsea FC of England and Super Eagles of Nigeria mercurial midfielder, John Obi Mikel was amongst the three nominees for the exalted price of the African Player of the Year. Affirmatively, Mikel’s achievements in the year 2013 placed him above other nominees such as the Cote d’Ivoire and Manchester City FC of England midfielder, Yaya Toure and Galatasaray of Turkey Striker, Didier Drogba.
In 2013, Mikel won the African Cup of Nations’ trophy with Nigeria, defeating Cote d’Ivoire in quarter final and also winning UEFA Europa League trophy with Chelsea. Both Toure and Drogba thus ended the year 2013 without wining a trophy.
Alas, CAF, to the surprise of all, announced Toure as the African Player of the Year, placing Mikel as the runner up. Most lovers of football in Nigeria were shocked by the action of CAF. The graveyard silence that greeted the announcement of Toure as the winner was a testimony to the dissatisfaction of bigwigs that graced the occasion. To many opinion shapers, CAF was partial.
Curiously, the shameful, partial CAF claimed that Ivorian Didier Drogba was the third African Best Player for the year 2013. Shockingly, the third best African player was not considered fit enough to be amongst the 11 African Best Players for the year 2013. Didier Drogba’s name was not mentioned by CAF amongst the line up of the 11 African players for the year 2013 that had the Nigerian Stephen Keshi as coach.
As a striker, Drogba, the third African Best was not amongst the two strikers in the 11 African finest players for the year 2013. Nigeria’s Emenike and the Burkinabe, Pitopria, according to CAF, were the two best African strikers for the year 2013. Wasn’t that a big international shame exhibited by CAF?
It is time for Hayatou to quit as CAF helmsman; he has out-lived his usefulness.
• Maxwell Adeyemi Adeleye,
Magodo, Lagos.