Mikel was named as the captain at a media conference ahead of two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Egypt.
The Nigeria international was widely tipped to take over from Vincent Enyeama who quit the national team following fallout with former Super Eagles’ coach Sunday Oliseh, but Ahmed Musa was handed the armband instead.
Chelsea posted a congratulatory message on its Twitter handle, while a news story was published on the club website to celebrate the ‘elegant enforcer’.
The story on the website reads ‘John Mikel Obi has been named as the new captain of the Nigeria national side. The news was announced at a media conference ahead of two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Egypt, with the Chelsea midfielder taking over the captaincy from CSKA Moscow’s Ahmed Musa as new coach Samson Siasia wishes the role to be taken by the longest-serving player.
Twenty-eight-year-old Mikel has 72 caps for Nigeria and will also receive a special award after Friday’s game to honour him being the current national squad member with the most appearances. He was a key member of the side that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations’.