It has been revealed that Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel turned down the opportunity to be vice -captain of the Super Eagles before the vacant position was handed to Eddy Onazi and Kenneth Omeruo. This was aptly demonstrated during the friendly against Congo when Mikel openly rejected the captain’s band after Ahmed Musa made an attempt to pass it on to him when he (Musa) was substituted.
And contrary to speculations in the media that suggested the Chelsea midfielder would not honour future call-ups after he was overlooked for the captain’s armband which was given to Ahmed Musa, Mikel’s rep has insisted that his client has taken the decision of Sunday Oliseh in good faith and is available for selection for the World Cup qualifiers.
“Sunday Oliseh wanted Mikel to be vice – captain, since he has already given Musa the captain’s armband,” one of Mikel’s rep told allnigeriasoccer.com.
“He only wants to be playing and is not interested in being an assistant captain. Whenever they invite him, he will come.
“I think he was not chosen as captain because he missed the game in Tanzania but Oliseh was impressed with his performance in the friendlies against DRC and Cameroon.” Obi Mikel is the most experienced player currently in the Super Eagles fold, having made his debut in 2005, five years before Ahmed Musa made his competitive debut for the national team.