I enjoy watching weekend European matches at viewing centres. I always sneak in to feel the pulse of the fans – spread across the European teams. Since the league began last year, fans of Stamford Bridge in Nigeria have been mute. They have been pinching themselves to find out why Chelsea, last year winners of the Barclays English Premier League’s diadem, are languishing in the relegation zone.
Not even the sack of the Special One, Jose Mourinho, has convinced them about the new dawn which many predicted will solve the squad’s problems. In fact, fans of other teams scorn Chelsea for winning one game per month. Such taunts enliven viewing centres weekly. Sadly, the boisterous Blues’ fans watch in confusion. Chelsea fans had been expectant but it was taking quite a while and many tore their Chelsea shirts in support of Mourinho. Others have burnt theirs, with a senior colleague, Olu Ayela, swearing never to talk about Chelsea.
His reason – they sacked the Special One. Ayela doesn’t think Mourinho is Chelsea’s problem. Rather, he says, it is the players’ mutiny against the coach, to whom, in Ayela’s opinion, they owe their stardom. To Ayela, nothing good can come from Chelsea, following Mourinho’s sack. I have not seen Ayela since Chelsea’s resurgence against Crystal Palace on Sunday. But his reaction won’t be anything different from others’ in his camp – those sitting on the fence waiting for this new dawn to shout ‘we are back!’
Mourinho’s sack has adversely affected the number of fans still rooting for the Blues. Many have sworn not to support any team until Mourinho handles another team. Such was the muted silence at this viewing centre in Akowonjo, Lagos, Sunday that I initially thought that Chelsea had no fans. The early goal scored by Oscar brought out bated noise but when Costa tapped in Chelsea’s third, the roof of the viewing centre almost caved in.
“We are back. The champions are back. Bring on Barcelona. Chelsea can massacre any team. Thank you, Jose Mourinho. You did your best. We are returning to winning ways.” These boastful words rent the air, showing clearly that the fans enjoyed what they saw.
Surprisingly, amid their celebrations, the fans reckoned with John Mikel Obi’s sterling performance. On this score, the views were divergent. Those on either side raised their voices to make their points. I was impressed. I was educated. I celebrated because Nigerians know how to celebrate their own.
For me, it is as if Mikel changed club, even though he is still in Chelsea. The return of Gus Hiddink meant a likely regular shirt for the Nigerian. The Dutch believes in Mikel’s talents since he set his eyes on the Nigerian in his first rescue mission at Stamford Bridge.
Is Hiddink a better manager than Mourinho, using Mikel as the litmus test? I’m tempted to say yes because it isn’t the first time that Hiddink’s return to Chelsea has changed Mikel’s fortune. Mourinho’s love for black players makes it difficult for me to tag him a racist. But, Mourinho’s sparing use of Mikel gave the impression that the Nigerian wasn’t improving in training. I don’t see anything Hiddink has done to Mikel other than playing him in a role that fits his game. And if Mikel keeps this form till the end of the season, he could get a mouth-watering Chelsea deal- rightly deserved.
Hiddink’s remarks on Mikel underscore his qualities, which Mourinho has denied followers of the game. Mourinho would be pinching himself, wondering how he missed getting the Nigerian to play his heart out for him. ++A few times, Mourinho lavished praises on Mikel. But most times, he ended up not fielding the Nigerian in the next game, offering all manner of technical jargons to justify Mikel’s exclusion.
Many of us fell for Mourinho’s tactical explanation, with a few, like this writer, suggesting that Mikel moves out of Chelsea. I trusted Mourinho’s judgment and feel sour now that the Portuguese, after all, is human and prone to mistakes. Thank you, Hiddink for resurrecting Mikel’s career.
My silent prayer is for Hiddink to remain in Chelsea next year. Hiddink knows how to field Mikel. And if the Nigerian keeps this form, then Nigeria could win the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, like she did on February 10, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Gambo for Vietnam? No.
I’m very angry over arguments being made by an unnamed agent justifying why Kano Pillars’ Mohammed Gambo should play his soccer in Vietnam.
The claim that it was Gambo’s second visit to Vietnam is, to say the least, ridiculous. Where is Vietnam in FIFA ranking? What is Vietnam’s league ranking? It is only in Nigeria that anyone can take a player to Vietnam without thinking about his career.
Sadly, Kano Pillars, which should protect the future of their prized striker, are blaming him
