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Tag: mikel obi

  • Former Super Eagles Skipper, Mikel Obi hangs his boot at 35

    Former Super Eagles Skipper, Mikel Obi hangs his boot at 35

    Former Super Eagles captain and Chelsea Football club defensive Midfielder, John Obi Mikel has announced his retirement from professional football after 20 years of meritorious service.

    Obi hung his boot at the prime age of 35 with lots of trophies in his cabinet.

    Some of the trophies Obi won include the AFCON for Nigeria, third place medals, Champions and Europa league trophies among many other laurels in his footballing career.

    The former Nigeria skipper announced  his retirement on Tuesday on his social media account with an emotional note to his fans.

    “There is a saying that “all good things must come to an end”, and for my professional football career, that day is today.

    “I look back at the past 20 years of my career, and I must say that I am very satisfied with all that I was able to achieve and, more importantly, the human it has helped shape.

    “All of this would not have been possible without the unwavering support of my family, managers, clubs, coaches, teammates and most importantly, my ever-loyal fans.

    “You supported me through my highs and lows, even on days that I did not live up to your expectations. I say a big thank you.

    “I will also like to encourage everyone who I may have inspired one way or the other in the course of my career to never give up on their dreams, for every time you think about quitting, remind yourself why you started.

    “This is not goodbye, it’s the start of another journey, another chapter of my life. I look forward to what the future holds, and I hope you will walk with me. Thank you”, he wrote.

    Mikel started his career with a local club, Plateau United, before joining a Norwegian club, Lyn Oslo, at the age of 17 in 2004.

    He made a controversial transfer to English club Chelsea after Manchester United claimed they had already signed him.

  • Sports Ministry appoints Mikel Obi as Ambassador

    Sports Ministry appoints Mikel Obi as Ambassador

    The Minister for Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, on Friday commended the dedication of former Super Eagles Captain, John Mikel Obi.

    He also announced Mikel Obi as an Ambassador of the sports ministry..

    The minister gave the commendation at a press conference held in Mikel-Obi’s honor at the National Stadium, Lagos.

    Speaking at the event, Dare said that Obi’s appointment is aimed at inspiring “young Nigerians to strive for excellence”.

    According to him, the former Chelsea star is a role model whose lasting legacies in football development has continued to have positive impact on youths in the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the former Super Eagles captain has 91 caps for the National Team, is a Champions League winner and a bronze medalist at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

    “ We are proud of you, we are proud of your achievements. You have built a brand that is reputable around the world.

    “From today, you are our official ambassador. We believe in your leadership and mentorship, the youths have a lot to learn.

    “We are going to build a partnership with your brand, we will support you. We have the talents.

    “I strongly believe that with this collaboration we will build a sustainable legacy,” the minister said.

    In his response Obi applauded the minister for honoring him.

    He promised to work hand in hand with the minister in order to reposition sports in the country.

    “I didn’t see this coming, but I appreciate the gesture. I will do all I can in my capacity to mentor the young ones.

    “Not just in football, basketball, volleyball and other sports. It is important to ensure that the development is uniform,” Obi said.

    NAN also reports that Obi, who has won a lot of laurels, was CAF’s most promising player 2005 and FIFA World Youth Champions silver ball 2005.

  • Mikel Obi reveals intentions to work with Yahaya Bello

    Mikel Obi reveals intentions to work with Yahaya Bello

    Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has revealed his desire to work with the governor of Kogi state Yahaya Bello for the betterment of Nigerians.

    Mikel paid a courtesy visit to the governor on Sunday and praised his contribution to the progress of Kogi State.

    The 34-year-old midfielder also promised to support Bello in his future political endeavours and help foster youth development.

    “It is an honour for me to finally meet his Excellency personally after all the good things I have heard and read about him from not just the people of Kogi State but from Nigerians,” Mikel said as per the Guardian.

    “My main aim is to come here to show my appreciation and to thank him for all the things he has been doing for the people and also to support him in whatever future political positions he wants to go into.

    “I will like to be there to support him, to be there by his side through this journey for him to achieve whatever he wants which is for the betterment of Nigeria.

    “What better person to lead the youths than him, because he has been doing all these good works and that is why I am here to see whatever way I can come in.

    “To get the youths together to know and see how we can make things better for our country and how we can align to achieve all that”

  • Mikel Obi exposes Hazard to Real Madrid

    Mikel Obi exposes Hazard to Real Madrid

    Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has revealed that Real Madrid ace Eden Hazard was the “worst trainer” he encountered at Stamford Bridge.

    Hazard is currently battling to overcome a new injury setback at the Spanish club.

    And Obi Mikel told the Athletic: “I’ve always said that Hazard is one of the most gifted players, he had it all: speed, power, skill, technique … He was right behind Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. But only if he wanted to. He sometimes said, ‘Yes. I want to be so good, I can be. Not as good as Messi because he is from another planet, but I think I can be close to Cristiano and even better’.

    “Those were the words that came out of his mouth, but he is not that dedicated. He doesn’t train well, he’s the worst training player I’ve ever played with.

    “Why is he so bad? My God. Eden, Eden, Eden … ahhhh. Because he was so good that nobody said anything. He would arrive on Saturday and win the game for us, he was the man of the match. But on Monday and on Tuesday, he was in training and it was like he wasn’t there. Standing, wandering. Everybody fighting, screaming in the games and he didn’t do any of that.

    “But you saw him on the pitch, how good he was. .. It’s not fair that some people are so talented!”

  • How Mikel Obi has made Stoke stronger – O’Neill

    How Mikel Obi has made Stoke stronger – O’Neill

    Stoke City manager Michael O’Neill has revealed John Obi Mikel has made the club stronger with his performances.

    The 33-year-old teamed up with the Potters in the summer after leaving Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor by mutual agreement.

    The midfielder has continued to make his experience count for the Bet365 Stadium outfit in the 11 games he has played for the club so far.

    Mikel has helped the club keep five clean sheets since his arrival to the club to their current eighth spot on the Championship table.

    O’Neill is delighted with the solid defensive performances from his club and lauded the impact of the former Super Eagles captain.

    “Our number of clean sheets has been impressive,” O’Neill said in a pre-match press conference.

    “I think even going back to the start of this calendar year, I think we rank among the best in the division in terms of clean sheets. It’s important how we defend as a team, not just a back four.

    “John Obi Mikel has made us stronger in that area as well, we’re stronger in midfield and we’ve been stronger as a unit in how we defend from the front.”

     

  • I’ll bring winning mentality to Stoke – Mikel

    I’ll bring winning mentality to Stoke – Mikel

    John Obi Mikel says he will bring a ‘winning mentality’ to Stoke City after signing with the Championship club as a free agent.

    The Nigerian, who won the Champions League and two Premier League titles with Chelsea, has agreed a one-year deal with the Potters.

    “I can bring that winning mentality into this team,” he said on the official Stoke City YouTube Channel.

    “There is always a way to win, we need to find that way. That mentality needs to come into the team, it’s all about winning week in, week out, and that’s something I’ve done all my life at Chelsea and I can bring that experience and winning mentality here, I’d be very happy.

    “I’m excited. I’ve been talking with the club for a week, talking to the manager trying to know exactly what the ambition of the club is and also my ambition what I want to do as a player. My ambition and the club’s ambition seem to be pretty much the same,” he continued.

    “I’m excited to see where we can go with this partnership, I’m here to help the club, get promoted, I think this club belongs to Premier League, that’s where it should be.

    “I’ve spoken to a few clubs, but after speaking to the manager, he told me what he wants and the ambition is something I want, I still want to win, achieve something and after talking to the manager I decided this is the right place for me to continue my career.”

  • Mikel Obi attracting West Brom interest

    Mikel Obi attracting West Brom interest

    Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel is being linked with a return to England.

    Sky Sports says West Brom are interested in signing Mikel.

    Mikel is without a club after leaving Turkish side Trabzonspor in March.

    The Baggies, who look poised to return to the Premier League, are reportedly one of several clubs looking to sign the 33-year-old on a free transfer.

    Mikel spent part of last season with Middlesbrough.

  • A blessing playing with Mikel, Ighalo – Iwobi

    Super Eagles winger Alex Iwobi has stated it was a blessing for him to play with Chelsea icon John Obi Mikel and Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo.

    Mikel spent 14 years with the national team before his retirement from international duty in 2019 after captaining the West Africans to their eighth bronze medal at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

    The 33-year-old excelled in the midfield role for both his club and country during his playing years, helping them to clinch a number of laurels.

    “I have learnt a lot from Mikel because we play similar positions. Whenever I’m called I play behind the striker, that’s where he likes to play,” Iwobi said in an Instagram Live.

    “In training, whilst watching him on the pitch, whilst I’m on the bench watching him, I’ve always learned, the way he’s physically capable to keep the ball in tight situations.

    “Playing in African culture there’s a lot more physicality, there are a lot more strong duels, the way he’s able to use his body is something I have picked up and try to add to my game.”

    Ighalo, meanwhile, is regarded as one of the greatest Super Eagles strikers, given his clinical finishing and technical ability.

    “With Ighalo, the composure he has when he’s in the box, when he has the opportunity to score, I’m trying to add to my game,” he continued.

    “It’s almost like when he’s clean through on goal, 90 percent of the time the ball is in the back of the net and not with a lot of power but with finesse and style to it.

    “Hopefully, that’s something that not just me but the youngsters like Victor [Osimhen], it is something that we have to put a lot of respect for.

    “Both of them talk to you, they try to help everyone, it was a blessing to play with both of them.”

  • Mikel named among five most annoying players

    Former Premier League referee, Mark Clattenburg, has named John Mikel Obi among the five most annoying players he has refereed during his career.

    Others on the list include former Wales striker, Craig Bellamy; ex-Manchester United captain Roy Keane; former Arsenal goalkeeper, Jens Lehmann and Portugal defender, Pepe.

    Clattenburg is regarded as one of the best referees of his generation and officiated the 2016 European Championship, Champions League and FA Cup finals among others.

    In an interview with the Daily Mail, the 45-year-old opened up about some of the challenges he faced during his 13 years as a referee.

    Speaking about Mikel Obi, who played for Chelsea in the Premier League, Clattenburg said: “I have picked Mikel because of the incident during a Chelsea v Manchester United match in 2012 when he accused me of making a racist comment, which was not right and I was later cleared by the FA.

    “He has never apologised and that is disappointing because it could have ruined my life. I fell out of love with refereeing for a while after that but couldn’t quit because I had a family to support and no other career to pursue.

    “Mikel only heard the allegation from his team-mate Ramires, who did not speak English. Other Chelsea players have since apologised but nothing from Mikel.”

  • Mikel confirms new club interest

    Mikel confirms new club interest

    Former Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi, has confirmed that he is in negotiations with Botafogo over a move to join the club after the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is over.

    Recall that Botafogo had made an offer to the 32-year-old midfielder, who is now a free agent.

    It was gathered that the Brazilian club has made an offer of an 18 months deal with the 2013 African Cup of Nations winner worth $2million.

    Mikel Obi’s contract with Trabzonspor was terminated in March when he refused to play amid the Coronavirus outbreak.

    The former Chelsea star refused to delete an Instagram post criticizing Turkish football authorities before his deal was canceled.

    “Yes, there has been an interest from Botafogo, and yes, there have been negotiations,” Mikel Obi told ESPN.

    “But I do not know yet. I am still thinking about it, not sure yet.”