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Tag: Mikel Obi

  • Mikel, Musa, Iheanacho out of CAF Player of the Year race

    Mikel, Musa, Iheanacho out of CAF Player of the Year race

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the top five shortlists for the 2016 African Player of the Year award with the Super Eagles trio of Mikel Obi, Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho not making the cut.

    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane, Mohammed Salah and Islam Slimani made the top five decided by votes from the members of the CAF Media Committee, CAF Technical & Development Committee and half of the 20-member panel of experts, Goal reports.

    Borussia Dortmund striker Aubameyang won the 2015 award after a sizzling start to the previous season for the Bundesliga club.

    In the African Player of the Year (Based in Africa) category, Dennis Onyango, Hlompho Kekana, Keegan Dolly and Khama Billiat from the 2016 African Champions League winning side, Mamelodi Sundowns, made the mark with T.P Mazembe’s Rainford Kabala completing the list.

    The winners will be decided by votes from the head coaches and Technical Directors of the National Associations affiliated to CAF.

    The Glo/CAF awards gala night will take place on January 5, 2017 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, Nigeria.

  • Mikel, Ikeme focused on Zambia clash

    Mikel, Ikeme focused on Zambia clash

    The Super Eagles duo of Mikel Obi and Carl Ikeme have said their focus is now on Nigeria’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zambia in Ndola on October 3.

    Both players featured in Nigeria’s final 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Tanzania at the Nest of Champions on Saturday and are now “looking forward” to the start of the qualification for the World Cup in Russia, supersport.com reports.

    Mikel, 29, urged Nigerians “to stick together” for the World Cup qualifying games against Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia.

    The Nigeria captain also commented on his team performance against Tanzania and explained that the Eagles’ profligacy against the Taifa Stars was down to “several reasons.”

    “I appreciate the support we got here. On behalf of the team, we are thankful for that. We played really well though we created lots of chances. We couldn’t score more than one for a couple of reasons. Now we need to stick together and we want the same kind of support we got here and do well for the World Cup qualifiers which is very important now,” supersport.com quoted Mikel as saying on last Saturday’s encounter against the Tanzanians.

    “I hope the next time we come back here we will have many more victories here.”

    Wolverhampton Wanderers stopper, Ikeme, also commended the role played by the “12th man” in Nigeria’s win over Tanzania with his eyes now fixed on the next month’s World Cup qualifier in Zambia.

     

  • Mikel targets 2018 World Cup qualification with Eagles

    Mikel targets 2018 World Cup qualification with Eagles

    Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi, has set his sights on qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup with Nigeria.

    Mikel, who led Nigeria’s U-23 team to win bronze medal at the just concluded Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, believes he can lead the Super Eagles to Russia in 2018.

    “Nigeria is a massive country and a footballing country as well, so where we are now in terms of football is not where we want to be,” Goal quoted Mikel as saying in an interview with Newsweek.

    “Let’s hope this [the bronze medal] can motivate the national team.

    “Now we have the World Cup qualifiers coming up, we have to be ready for that.

    “We have to make sure we prepare well and qualify for the World Cup.”

    Nigeria, who recently appointed German Gernot Rohr as technical adviser plays in Group B of World Cup qualifying with Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia.

  • We didn’t play well against Germany – Mikel

    We didn’t play well against Germany – Mikel

    Nigeria U-23 skipper, Mikel Obi, has admitted that his team mates didn’t play well in Wednesday’s Olympics football semi final clash against Germany in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

    With the Nigerians missing the services of two key players in the shape of Oghenekaro Etebo and Azubuike Okechukwu, the Dream Team struggled against the Europeans, first conceding early in the first half, before Nils Petersen grabbed a second goal with one minute remaining.

    “I wanted to win the gold medal, but the fact is that we did not play well today (Wednesday). The Germans played well,” allnigeriasoccer.com quoted the Chelsea midfielder as saying at the press conference.

    “We are professionals, we can now claim third place and this is what we get. We want to give a medal to Nigeria. ”

     

  • Mikel to captain Team Nigeria at Olympics

    Mikel to captain Team Nigeria at Olympics

    Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi, will lead the Team Nigeria to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

    The Sports Ministry said the Chelsea midfielder has been picked because he is regarded as “a role model” to the upcoming athletes.

    Mikel is one of the over-aged players named in the Nigeria U-23 team for the men’s football event at the Olympics, supersport.com reports.

    Rio 2016 will be Mikel’s first appearance at the Olympics.

    Table tennis star, Funke Oshonaike, has been named as the team assistant captain.

    “Mikel is a young, patriotic footballer of international status and we believe he will be a role model to the upcoming athletes, while Funke Oshonaike is experienced and is one of the oldest athletes in the team. We believe that their combined efforts will bring goodwill to Team Nigeria and project the county’s image positively to the world,” supersport.com stated the head of mission, Christian Ohaa, as saying on Tuesday.

     

  • Mikel, Akpeyi join Olympic Team in U.S

    Mikel, Akpeyi join Olympic Team in U.S

    Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel and South Africa-based goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi, have joined the U-23 team in United States and will have their first training session with team on Monday evening.

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed that the duo are in the Olympic Team camp in Atlanta.

    CD Feirense of Portugal attacking midfielder, Oghenekaro Etebo, is expected to link up with the team on Tuesday, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

    The team will play its last friendly game on Wednesday.

  • Siasia confirms Mikel for Olympics

    Siasia confirms Mikel for Olympics

    Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi will represent Nigeria at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, after initial fears he will not be released by his club,  Olympic Team coach, Samson Siasia has said.

    Samson Siasia  confirmed to africanFootball.com on Tuesday that the Super Eagles captain will be available for the Olympics starting on August 4.

    “We have some other players who have promised to join us and they have shown commitment like Wilfred Ndidi, who has assured us that he will join us in America.

    “Other players who will be available are goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi and Kenneth Omeruo. These are the players who are confirmed for now,” he told africanFootball.com.

     

  • Olympics: Mikel, Ighalo, Iwobi in Nigeria provisional squad

    Olympics: Mikel, Ighalo, Iwobi in Nigeria provisional squad

    Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel and Watford striker Odion Ighalo have been named in the 35-man Nigeria Olympic squad put together by Samson Siasia.

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) released the list submitted by Siasia ending speculation about the identity of the over-23 players in the team as allowed by FIFA.

    Defender Godfrey Oboabona and goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi are the other over-age players that will compete for three slots in the team, Goal reports.

    Despite the ongoing speculation on their availability for the Games, Manchester City and Arsenal starlets Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi were also included in the squad.

    The full list:

     

    Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa FC, South Africa), Yusuf Bala (Kano Pillars), Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers), Taiwo Abdulrahman (Kwara United), Ndubuisi Agu (FC Porto, Portugal), Junior Ajayi (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia), Stanley Amuzie (Olhanense FC, Portugal), Taiwo Awoniyi (Frankfurt FC, Germany), Okechukwu Azubuike (Yeni Malatyaspor, Turkey), Etor Daniel (Enyimba FC), Augustine Dimgba (Sunshine Stars), William Ekong (Haugesund FC, Norway), Saturday Erimuya (Kayseri Erciyespor, Turkey), Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense FC, Portugal), Imoh Ezekiel (Anderlecht, Belgium), Saviour Godwin (Ostende, Belgium), Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England), Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England), Emiloju Julius (MFM FC), Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovakia), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England), Musa Muhammed (Istanbul Basaksehir, Turkey), Usman Muhammed (CF Uniao, Portugal), Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium), Erhun Obanor (MFM FC), Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey), Kenneth Omeruo (Chelsea FC, England), Sodiq Saliu (Seraing FC, Belgium), Abdullahi Shehu (CF Uniao, Portugal), Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium), Seth Sincere (Rhapsody FC), Ndifreke Udo (Abia Warriors), Aminu Umar (Osmalispor, Turkey), Sadiq Umar (AS Roma, Italy).

  • Mikel one of Nigeria’s greatest midfielders – Chukwu

    Mikel one of Nigeria’s greatest midfielders – Chukwu

    Ex-Super Eagles’ coach, Christian Chukwu, has described Chelsea’s John Mikel Obi, as one of the greatest midfielders to have emerged from Nigeria.

    Mikel, who made his Eagles’ debut in 2006, clocks 29 on Friday.

    “There is no debate about his class which I attribute to discipline and dedication,” Chukwu told Goal.

    “Mikel is committed to whatever he wants to do and that has helped him a big deal as a footballer.

    “He is gifted, talented and he is one of the greatest midfielders ever to come out of the country.

    “And for those who condemn him for not scoring goals, I would say the most important thing in football is playing to coaches’ instructions and not what people think the player should do.

    “Mikel has been consistent for Chelsea because he is playing to his manager’s instruction. If not, he would have spent more time on the bench.

    “And personally, I don’t feel that scoring goals should be a factor for becoming a great player.”

    Chukwu is confident that the 29-year-old can continue playing at the highest level for many years to come while wishing him well on his birthday.

    “For the national team, he has been doing his best and I believe he has years ahead of him in the Super Eagles. To be honest, he has paid his dues,” he continued.

  • AFCON: Siasia replaces Iheanacho with Aminu

    AFCON: Siasia replaces Iheanacho with Aminu

    The acting Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Samson Siasia has made three changes to the Nigerian team that played 1-1 with Egypt at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna last Friday.

     

    On the new lists, West Ham United’s Victor Moses replaces Simon Moses as Daniel Akpeyi fills injured Carl Ikeme’s place while Aminu stands in for Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho.

     

    Similarly, Super Eagles midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, who is returning from a three match ban for a red card he got in the first game against Chad will start the game from the bench.

     

    Nigeria’s first eleven against Egypt include Akpeyi, Shehu, Amuzie, Ambrose, Oboabona, Mikel, Etebo, Aminu, Musa, Victor Moses, Ighalo.

     

    The on the bench are Echiejile, Iheanacho, Azubuike, Simon, Ezenwa, Onazi and Iwobi.