Mikel Obi becomes Super Eagles skipper. Photo: Filed
Chelsea midfielder, John Mikel Obi has been announced as the new Skipper of the Super Eagles barely 24 hours to the crucial games against the Pharaohs of Egypt in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series
The news was broken by Ahmed Musa, who was the skipper until today. The CSKA Moscow winger replaced Vincent Enyeama, after the goalkeeper announced his retirement from international football.
‘I want to announce now that from today, John Obi Mikel is our new captain,’ Musa said at the Eagles’ press conference, ahead of Friday’s AFCON 2017 qualifier against Egypt.
Mikel, who is one of the most senior players in the
national team, was overlooked by former coach, Sunday Oliseh, who
instead opted for Ahmed Musa as replacement for Vincent Enyeama as the Eagles skipper.
Mikel represented Nigeria at the U-17 and U-20 levels at the 2005
FIFA World Youth Championship and won the Silver Ball for the
second-best player at the tournament, behind Lionel Messi, as Nigeria
finished runner-up to Argentina.
He made his debut for the Super Eagles on August 17,
2005, when he came on as a second-half substitute in a 1–0 friendly win
over Libya.
He did not play for the national team again prior to being named in the squad for the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations.
Mikel made his FIFA World Cup debut during the 2014
tournament in Brazil, winning a Man-of-the-Match award in the Super
Eagles’ opening game against Iran and helping the team to reach the
knockout stage for the first time since 1998
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