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Tag: Mikel Obi

  • NFF should be disbanded if Nigeria misses 2026 World Cup, says Mikel Obi

    NFF should be disbanded if Nigeria misses 2026 World Cup, says Mikel Obi

    Former Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi, has urged that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) be disbanded should the national team fail to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    Nigeria’s chances of reaching the tournament now hang by a thread after a draw against South Africa in the Group C qualifiers left the Eagles third on the table—six points adrift of the Bafana Bafana—with only two games remaining.

    Mikel blamed the team’s struggles on the NFF’s failure to put its house in order, insisting that the state of Nigerian football reflects the body’s poor leadership and lack of accountability.

    “If Nigeria doesn’t qualify for the World Cup, the entire NFF board has to go… It’s unacceptable,” the former Chelsea star said on the Obi One Podcast.

    “We didn’t qualify for Qatar — the last World Cup — and now it looks like again we are not going to make it. Honestly, I have nothing to say about it,” the ex-midfielder said.

    “It is just horrible. Do you blame the players? No, I don’t blame the players. Yes, the players have to take responsibility for the situation, but are you gonna blame the players alone? No.

    “Again, we talk about it so many times, and that’s why you have people disrespecting the African continent and football.

    Read Also: Rio 2016: Siasia refutes Mikel Obi claims on ticket purchase  for Olympic Eagles

    Mikel believes the people who run football in Nigeria should be held “accountable” for the country’s woeful outing in the qualifiers.

    “Yes, the players have to take responsibility, but the biggest challenge is from the top,” the ex-Lyn Oslo star said.

    The Super Eagles are on 11 points after eight matches, six behind leaders South Africa.

    While there are two matches to end the qualification race for Africa, Nigeria is at huge risk of not making it as one of the four second-best teams for a playoff.

    The qualification races return next month with Nigeria going away to Lesotho before welcoming neighbours, the Benin Republic.

    If they win the two games in other matches that go their way, the three-time African champions may sneak in as one of the best four teams for a play-off competition.

  • Rio 2016: Siasia refutes Mikel Obi claims on ticket purchase  for Olympic Eagles

    Rio 2016: Siasia refutes Mikel Obi claims on ticket purchase  for Olympic Eagles

    The Head coach of the Olympics Eagles to the Rio 2016 Olympics, Samson Siasia has refuted claims that that Mikel Obi paid for the flight tickets of the team from United States to Rio.

    Siasia was reacting to the news credited to Mikel Obi in the media space in Nigeria in the past few days, where he said that he paid for the flight tickets of the team from Atlanta to Rio in 2016 and till today, he has not been refunded the money.

    “Mikel Obi did not pay any flight money for Olympic Eagles from United States to Brazil for the 2016 Olympics. Nothing like that,” Siasia told Omonfoma Ebare of AIT Sports.

    “We only had issues with hotel bills. I think, he did pay for some of the hotel bills, but that of the flight from United States to Brazil, Mikel did not pay for that.

    Read Also: VIVA VICTOR: Osimhen wows at Wilfred Ndidi’s star-studded Maracana Children’s Fest

    Delta Airline flew us because Nigerians in the United States were agitated over the issue. A friend of mine went to Delta Airline chairman and they resolved the matter.

    He added that : “Yemi Idowu had earlier paid for the team’s flight tickets, but the aircraft was too small.

    “If Mikel has the receipt to that effect, let him show Nigerians that he was the one who paid.

    Mikel did not pay for any flight tickets of the team. I say this as the head coach of the team then. He should bring the receipt, if he paid.

    “May be he is broke and looking for money. He should try other means to make money,” he concluded.

  • I’m making efforts with Mikel Obi to bring Osimhen to Chelsea – Peter Okoye

    I’m making efforts with Mikel Obi to bring Osimhen to Chelsea – Peter Okoye

    Music star Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr. P from the defunct P-Square duo, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring Victor Osimhen is signed by Chelsea FC.

    Okoye took to X to update fans on his behind-the-scenes efforts with former Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi to secure the in-demand striker’s signature during the 2024 summer transfer window.

    In the post, Okoye revealed he and Obi were part of a three-way call that stretched until midnight on transfer deadline day, pushing to finalise Osimhen’s move to Stamford Bridge.

    Read Also: Osimhen scores 26th goal on final day

    He wrote: “Dear @ChelseaFC fans, last summer, both @mikel_john_obi and I made every effort to secure the signing of @victorosimhen9 for Chelsea, including engaging in a three-way call right up until the transfer deadline. I want to reassure all of you that we remain steadfast in our pursuit and will continue our efforts this summer. Fingers crossed.#AgentP”.

    Despite their efforts, the deal collapsed and Osimhen joined Turkish giants Galatasaray on a season-long loan.

    The 26-year-old forward thrived in Istanbul, clinching the Turkish Super Lig’s top scorer title with an impressive 26 goals.

  • Mikel Obi Nigeria’s greatest footballer, says Odumodublvck

    Mikel Obi Nigeria’s greatest footballer, says Odumodublvck

    Rapper Odumodublvck has stirred up controversy with claim that Mikel Obi is the greatest Nigerian footballer of all time.

    The statement, made on X, has drawn a mix of reactions from fans and critics.

    “Mikel Obi is the greatest Nigerian footballer of all time,” he wrote.

    Read Also: Nigerian music industry has high level of stream farming – Odumodublvck

    While some agreed with Odumodublvck’s assessment, others argued that legendary players like Rashidi Yekini, Kanu Nwankwo, and Austin Jay-Jay Okocha deserve the title.

    @GideonGeorge, countered: “Mikel is not the greatest but the most successful, the greatest is Okocha.”

    @mmakachi, added: “You know wetin be greatest? Him no even near Stephen Keshi or Chairman Christian Chukwu.”

    @OddFeature__ argued:  “On paper with stats perhaps, but on the pitch it can only be one answer and ‘he was so good they named him twice’.. Thank you sir for your time

    @Akinscoat added: “Where do you want to leave the likes of Stephen Kechi, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Peter Rufai, Ikesoromu, etc?”

    @FemiBloomberg wrote: “Kanu Nwankwo is Nigeria’s greatest and most decorated footballer”.

    Mikel Obi’s impressive career achievements, including multiple titles with Chelsea and international successes, have added fuel to the debate.

  • Mikel Obi recounts father’s kidnapping ordeal during World Cup

    Mikel Obi recounts father’s kidnapping ordeal during World Cup

    Former Nigerian football captain John Obi Mikel has revealed how he got informed of his dad’s kidnap in Nigeria just two hours before a critical FIFA World Cup match against Argentina.

    Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Mikel said he was torn between his duty as captain and his crisis but he chose to play the match while negotiating with the kidnappers, who demanded a ransom.

    The ordeal was intensified by threatening calls during the game, with the kidnappers warning Mikel that his father would be harmed if their demands weren’t met.

    After the match, Mikel turned to his then-club owner, Roman Abramovich for help and the latter offered to send a team to locate Mikel’s father, but ultimately, Mikel paid a ransom to secure his father’s release.

    Read Also: Arsenal will sack Arteta next season, says Mikel Obi  

    “Kidnappers love my dad, No, they love my money. “I didn’t want to let the team down. I was the captain. I thought about it in my room, and then I went out there and played the game.

    “They called me, knowing I was going into the game. They thought it would push me to pay whatever they wanted. I spoke to them, and they said, ‘We’re going to shoot the [expletive] out of him if you don’t pay.’ My dad was on the phone saying, ‘Just give them the money, they are beating me up.

    “Roman being Roman said, ‘Just give me 24 hours. Let me send my people down, and I’ll find your dad.’ I thought, how the [expletive] are you going to do that? Nigeria is a massive country. But he said, ‘Don’t worry about it, just give me 24 hours.

    “I didn’t know, but I had to negotiate, and I had to pay a lot of money to get him out. But my dad was safe,” he said.

  • Arsenal will sack Arteta next season, says Mikel Obi  

    Arsenal will sack Arteta next season, says Mikel Obi  

    John Obi Mikel has issued a striking prediction about Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s future if he fails to secure the Premier League title next season.

    Speaking on his Obi One Podcast, Mikel expressed doubts about Arsenal’s ability to clinch the title, suggesting that Arteta should consider stepping down if he fails to deliver success by the end of the 2025/2026 campaign.

    “It’s Liverpool’s to lose. I don’t think Arsenal will win it. If Mikel Arteta doesn’t win the league next season, I think he should leave the football club,” Mikel stated.  

    Arsenal, who have closely competed with Manchester City for the Premier League crown over the past three seasons, currently sit second in the table.

    The Gunners have accumulated 40 points from 20 matches, trailing league leaders Liverpool by six points, with Arne Slot’s side having played one game fewer.

    Mikel highlighted Arsenal’s heavy financial investment under Arteta, reportedly nearing £800 million, and warned that failure to win the league next season could warrant managerial changes.

    “That’s going to be seven seasons and you have spent close to 800 million. I don’t think they are going to win the league this season. If he doesn’t win the league next season, I think he should walk because City are going to be back,” Mikel added.

    The former Chelsea star also cautioned that Arsenal could face a mental hurdle if they continue to falter in the title race. 

    He predicted that several top Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Newcastle, would strengthen significantly next season, making the challenge even tougher for Arteta’s squad.

    Read Also: January Transfer: Osimhen lands in Napoli trouble over Man United

    “Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Newcastle are going to get stronger. For me, the only time that Manchester City were struggling, for me this is when Arsenal should have been there,” Mikel remarked.

    He further criticized Arsenal’s inability to handle pressure in the title race: “I keep saying it yearly they will bottle it. That’s Arsenal, it’s a known fact. Arsenal can’t find a way to win the league. It is a mental side of things, I think mentally, obviously because they have been fighting with City for the past three years, I think that has drained them because they have not been able to get over the line. They can’t sustain that pressure, we can see that this year.”

    The Nigerian also raised concerns about injuries in Arsenal’s squad, particularly the absence of Bukayo Saka. 

    Mikel stressed the importance of Saka’s attacking influence alongside Martin Odegaard and how his absence weakens the team significantly.

    “And when you have your best player, now he’s going to be out till March, that’s the worry. And Odegaard when he doesn’t have a Saka, it’s still not the same because they both combine really well on that right-hand side.”

    “When you have a player like Saka out that can get you goals and create chances, it’s a worry for Mikel Arteta. He needs to find a way to win games.”

    Concluding his remarks, Mikel reiterated his stance on Arteta’s future: “For me, it’s a worry, if he doesn’t win the league next season, I think he should raise his hands and walk. That’s what I believe because that’s going to be his seventh season.”

    “I think the Arsenal fans will agree with me on that, sometimes you can take a team to a level, if you think you can’t get them over the line, then walk.”

  • PHOTOS: Ex-Eagles captain Mikel Obi undergoes surgery in UK

    PHOTOS: Ex-Eagles captain Mikel Obi undergoes surgery in UK

    Ex-Eagles captain Mikel Obi undergoes surgery in UK

  • Mikel Obi compares enigmatic Drogba to women

    Mikel Obi compares enigmatic Drogba to women

    Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has opened up about his ex-teammate Didier Drogba’s behaviour during their time together at Stamford Bridge. Mikel disclosed that Drogba exhibited a preference for big games and attention, likening the Ivorian legend’s approach to that of a woman.

    The former Super Eagles captain shared insights into Drogba’s mindset, emphasizing the striker’s enthusiasm for high-stakes matches.

    Mikel stated that Drogba, while excelling in major fixtures against the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool, showed less interest in smaller games, such as those in the FA Cup or against smaller clubs like Stoke.

    Read Also: I’ll take on your concerns one by one, Tinubu assures South-south indigenes

     “Drogba loves the big games; he was a guy who enjoyed it. When it was the little games, like when you’re playing the FA Cup or playing against small clubs like Stoke or other small clubs, Drogba never wanted to play those games,” Mikel revealed on the ObiOne Podcast.

     “He loves a little bit of attention; Didier behaves like a woman. You pamper him, give him a lot of attention, and he produces. But he was always there for us in the big games.”

    Despite Drogba’s remarkable contributions during his time at Chelsea, where he scored 104 goals and registered 64 assists, Mikel’s comments shed light on the striker’s selective enthusiasm

  • Mikel Obi slams extended family members seeking constant financial support

    Mikel Obi slams extended family members seeking constant financial support

    Former Super Eagles midfielder, Mikel John Obi, has observed that entitled families are more prevalent in Africa.

    He pointed out that if one family member achieves financial stability, there is often a tendency for others in the family to relent in their daily efforts, placing the responsibility of financial provisions on the successful family member.

    During an interview with fellow footballer, Rio Ferdinand, the former Super Eagles captain lamented how families are often entitled to a person’s money in Africa.

    According to Obi, when an African person acquires money, many relatives and cousins begin to make demands, and sisters even married men believe they are destined to be a part of the family.

    Read Also: Atiku’s coalition call to unseat APC: no talks with PDP, says LP

    The football player mentioned that these people have so many children and expect him to care for them and that he sometimes has to be strong and put his own needs aside.

    Mikel Obi stated that the extended family members believe he owes them money and threaten to go to the press if he refuses.

    This, according to the footballer, is prevalent in Africa.

    He said: “When you come from Africa when you make money, it’s not your money. You have all these relatives, cousins, and your sisters go off and get married to some guy who just wants to get married into Mikel John Obi’s family because his life is sorted, and then you start looking after this guy, and before you know it, they keep having so many kids and you look at it like,

    “Okay, you’re having this many kids, who are going to look after them?’ It’s you! It’s the culture because, for them, you owe them that, so sometimes you have to be strong and say, ‘You know what, guys, enough is enough; I don’t care’. They give you this thing whereby ‘if you don’t do it, we’re going to go to the press’. After all, what have I done for you guys? But this happens a lot in Africa. Not everybody comes out and speaks about it.”

  • I am the most decorated Nigerian player – Mikel Obi

    I am the most decorated Nigerian player – Mikel Obi

    Former Super Eagles player Mikel Obi said he his most decorated Nigerian footballer.

    He said this in a podcast with Victor Osimhen on Monday evening.

    The statement has since raised uproar amongst Nigerian football lovers, some attesting to the fact that Mikel Obi is the most decorated while some stood behind 47-year old legend, Nwankwo Kanu affirming that Kanu is the most decorated player in Nigeria’s history.

    Mikel Obi won the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, 4X FA Cup, Olympic Bronze Medal, 2X English Premier League, AFCON 2013, 2X Carabao Cup, Community Shield, 2005 Under 20 WC silver ball (behind Lionel Messi).

    Read Also: MI Abaga, Mikel Obi bag appointments in Plateau

    On the other hand, Kanu Nwankwo who some presume is the most decorated in his active years playing across different football leagues won the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, 3X FA Cup, Olympic Gold Medal, 2X English Premier League, 3X Dutch Eredivisie, 1X Nigerian Premier league, 1X U17 World Cup, 2X African Footballer of the Year.

    However, the most distinctive award between both players is the African footballer of the year which Kanu Nwankwo won twice in his playing time but Obi didn’t get on to achieve the prestigious award.