Former Chelsea and Super Eagles midfielder John Obi Mikel has called on Nigeria’s players to put aside their frustrations and channel their energy into Thursday’s decisive CAF World Cup qualifying playoff against Gabon in Rabat, Morocco, Soccernet.ng.
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner made his appeal amid growing tension within the camp after the team refused to train on Tuesday in protest over unpaid bonuses and allowances owed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The protest forced a temporary halt in preparations until Wednesday, when the issues were reportedly resolved and training resumed.
Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Mikel acknowledged the players’ grievances but insisted that the timing of their protest, on the eve of the most crucial match in Nigeria’s recent football history, was unfortunate.
“I have seen so many pictures and conversations about FIFA giving $1.2 million to the NFF to build stadiums and all the corruptions that have gone on. The corruption has to be rooted out of the game if we want to go forward,” Mikel said.
“But now is not the best time to discuss those. Now is the time to focus on the game against Gabon in the FIFA World Cup Qualifying playoffs to get to the next round.”
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Super Eagles, this is the biggest game of the nation’s life
Mikel insists the bigger picture remains qualification for the next stage of the World Cup playoffs. And to achieve that, the former Trabzonspor man maintains, Nigeria must approach the Gabon clash with absolute commitment, unity, and belief.
“It is a difficult task for us. It is a mountain to climb and we have to make sure we are ready,” he added.
“Whatever the NFF have to do to make the players feel comfortable to perform and give their best for the country, they have to do that right now.”
The 36-year-old, who represented Nigeria at two World Cups, urged the NFF to restore trust and motivation within the squad, saying that harmony between administrators and players is crucial at this stage.
He also reserved special praise for Galatasaray and Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, whom he described as one of the best forwards in the world. But Mikel warned that Nigeria’s fate should not rest on Osimhen alone.
“We have one of the best strikers in the world right now — he is absolutely on fire. But it is not just him. The whole team has to perform. Don’t depend on Victor Osimhen alone. Find the motivation in you knowing that this is the biggest game of the nation’s life,” Mikel said.
He concluded with a rallying cry that captured the mood of a nation desperate to see its flag at the next World Cup.
“We have to qualify for the World Cup. There is no two ways about it.”
Nigeria’s playoff against Gabon is the first of two knockout rounds that will determine Africa’s representative in the intercontinental playoffs next March. After the match in Rabat, Cameroon will also face DR Congo later on Thursday, with the winners of both ties meeting in three days’ time for the final spot.