The conference, scheduled to take place at the Finicky Event Center, Jibowu, Lagos on Saturday, 27th July, 2019, comes at the back of a successful maiden edition and is expected to host 400 aspiring footballers alongside football administrators/stakeholders at all levels. Ogu was part of the Super Eagles side that claimed bronze medals at the […]
The question on everyones’ lips would be, why is she thinking about Mikel Obi. Surely, Mikel Obi’s girlfriend Olga’s eyes would pop out at the headline. Seriously, this is all about his dwindling career.
Mikel was that young lad, a delight of the nation when at the age of 12 he made it as a talented player to the prestigious Pepsi Football Academy.
He dazzled us with skills and humility and in no time, big clubs had to battle for his signature. He was prematurely unveiled by Manchester United before being gazumped by Chelsea. Indeed, It was a war between the English football mighty. Mikel was that superb.
Ten years after winning medals with Lionel Messi in the same tournament under different categories, he has not really progressed as Messi has done.
So far as a Chelsea player he has not done so well for his career but done superbly well for his bank accounts.
Truth be told, he has not been productive, his presence has not been felt at club and country. Till date, he is the biggest name and biggest player in the current squad of the super eagles.
Unfortunately, he is one of the less productive with minimal impact or contribution to the team, I wonder what went wrong.
Jose Mourinho recently showed his confidence in Mikel and insisted he will not be leaving. Great News he is staying back at Chelsea under Jose Mourinho, every player wants to play under a great Coach like him.
However, he was linked with a move to Fenerbahce and another team in Dubai, so you mean no club in the EPL wants to buy Mikel? That’s a confirmation of his regression.
As a prospective Super Eagles Captain, his leadership skills leaves a lot to be desired. Another super Eagles midfielder, John Ogu once said in an interview that he was inspired by Mikel Obi.
No doubt, Ogu might be one of many others, but how long has he carried on inspiring? Which of the upcoming players want to watch his video to learn, backpass or overlap? Judging by his recent contributions to club and country.
Mikel was suspended in 2007 by Berti Vogts and after apologies he was seen as deemed fit to adorn the Green and white jersey. This same player won the man of the match against Iran at the 2014 FIFA world cup in Brazil.
Mikel has won the English Premiership twice, FA Cup four times, UEFA, African Cup of Nations amongst others, but can he be proud of his personal contributions to this medals after his retirement?
Not forgetting, he played different roles for Nigeria and Chelsea, maybe he will be better served by playing for a team that can utilize and use him in a position where he is best at which is attacking midfield. Hanging around at Chelsea is not necessarily good for his own career progression or any positive impact he might make in the Nigerian team.
He seems to have lost his zeal/mojo, maybe because of the financial reward he is priviledged to be making at Chelsea which is synonymous with other players. He needs to rediscover what got him to this stage in the first place.
With the generation of new midfielders joining Chelsea and being one of the oldest Chelsea players, he should be celebrated in the team. Coming home now, Can Oliseh build his midfield around Mikel? Can we say he is the next in line to become the Super Eagles captain?
It seems Chelsea can’t wait to sell him off, even this past premier league season he didn’t appear much. Isn’t he worried himself. He is dispensable to Chelsea and looking like a matter of ‘for now’ and I am truly concerned about where he will end up in August.
Moreover, he is yet to be allocated a squad number for the upcoming season in Chelsea. Anything is still possible before the transfer window closes. Victor Moses we know for sure will be staying at Chelsea as he has gotten his squad number.
Mikel should still be on top of his career at age 28. My advise; He should get back his zeal and desire to be the best. It is never too late for him to work harder, The potentials are still there, he can still make more powerful effect in the team.
Nigerians are looking forward to him performing to the best of his abilities which can be better than recent years.
Gerrard at age 35 is still doing well, I picture another 10 years of active football career for Mikel if he wants it. He is certainly too skillful to be “bench-warming”
It is never too late. Mikel Obi should get back in the groove of enjoying his football, start working hard, look back and search for where he has gone wrong and make amends, we miss him.Nigerians missed his on-field skills.
Get back to basics. Please come back our dear Mikel Obi
Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello
Twitter @Aderonkew
Coach Stephen Keshi has invited goalkeeper and skipper Vincent Enyeama and 14 other overseas –based professionals for next month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Chad in Kaduna.
The three–time FIFA World Cup star is joined by defenders Godfrey Oboabona and Kenneth Omeruo, midfielders Ogenyi Onazi and Babatunde Michael and forward Ahmed Musa, who were all at last year’s FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.
Exciting right back Leon Balogun, Israel–based John Ogu, former Switzerland junior international Steven Ukoh, China–based Aaron Samuel and Odion Ighalo, whose 20 league goals helped Championship side Watford FC to the English Premiership, have also been called alongside former junior international Rabiu Ibrahim.
New faces William Troost-Ekong, a defender based in The Netherlands, Kingsley Madu of AS Trencin in Slovakia and Portugal –based Anderson Esiti complete the list.
THE FULL LIST
Goalkeeper: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France)
Defenders: Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough FC, England); Leon Balogun (Darmstadt 98, Germany); William Troost-Ekong (FC Dordrecht, The Netherlands); Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovakia)
Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva); Babatunde Michael (Volyn Lutsk, Ukraine); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Anderson Esiti (Estoril FC, Portugal); Steven Ukoh (Biel-Bienne FC, Switzerland)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Aaron Samuel (Guangzhou R & F, China); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England)
…Home boys arrive Katsina
Meanwhile, Coach Keshi alongside his assistants, the backroom staff and 20 home –based professionals on Sunday arrived in Katsina for Tuesday’s commemorative match against Nigeria National League side, Spotlight FC.
Spotlight FC, which is in the Round of 32 of this year’s Federation Cup competition after defeating Idah United FC in the Round of 64, will try the Super Eagles B for strength as part of activities marking the commissioning of the brand –new, 35,000 –seater Karkanda Stadium located in the capital city.
Picked for the assignment are Chibuzor Okonkwo, Rabiu Ali, Nelson Ogbonnaya, Gabriel Okechukwu, Azeez Shobowale, Moses Ebong, Chima Akas, Nathaniel Joseph, Chidiebere Eze, Olabisi Samuel, Esosa Igbinoba, Onyedikachi Bright, Idris Aloma, Charles Henlong, Kunle Odunlami, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Tunde Adeniji, Onoriode Odah, Stanley Dimgba and Michael Egbeta.
Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, says he is thrilled by the responses of some of the players that were not picked for the World Cup party, especially German based, Leon Balogun, John Ogu, Brown Ideye and others.
Keshi who spoke from his Abuja base said picking the 30-man list for the World Cup was a difficult task and he was ready to please all but that can never be the case. “I wanted the best for the initial camping list but sadly we cannot take everybody along, we have to drop some of our best and committed players, I am happy that the players understand that fact”.
I heard what Leon Balogun said and I must say I am thrilled that he understands the very difficult task we have been given by Nigerians, I trust that sooner than later Leon will be back in the team.
We are targeting to bring him back during the qualifiers for the Nations Cup in Morocco and I trust we will still be in charge. Balogun we reason is one of our stars for the future of the national team”, Keshi said.
The Eagles boss while declaring his unalloyed loyalty to the NFF, called on the media to support him and the NFF in the task of making Nigeria great through football come Brazil 2014 World Cup.
“They create imaginary disputes between me and my employers, but I dare say there is no disagreement between us all I want is for all including the players who did not make the initial 30-man list to Brazil to support us, so that we can excel at the World Cup”, he declared.
Foreign based Super players Efe Ambrose, Ogenyi Onazi, John Ogu, Okwuosa Say No Stopping Eagles
Super Eagles players abroad and in South Africa have been sending messages of goodwill to their mates taking part in the ongoing CHAN African championship with most of them declaring that they believe there will be no stopping the Nigerian side from winning the trophy at stake.
Celtic of Scotland defender, Efe Ambrose has been calling every other day to check on the welfare of his mates from team administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor. “We have players who are experienced enough to win the championship and by God’s Grace they will”, he said.
Lazio midfield ace, Ogenyi Onazi called from Italy to wish Coach Stephen Keshi happy birthday and his teammates goodluck in their game against Morocco on Saturday. “At this point there is no stopping our team from winning the championship again”, he declared. Onazi said he has been in constant touch with some of the players in the team and he was certain that they have the right frame of mind to win the tournament.
Central defender, James Okwuosa, who plies his trade in South Africa with Chippa United, physically came to the Super Eagles Garden Court hotel abode, the third time he was doing so on Thursday morning. “I have come to see my friends and teammates and also to wish our lovely coach, Stephen Keshi, a happy birthday”, he said on Thursday morning. I also believe the team has crossed its biggest hurdle and by the end of the tournament Nigerians will surely smile”, he said.
Midfielder John Ogu, also called all the way from Portugal where he stars for Academica De Coumbria on Thursday. “We are so happy with what our mates are doing there in South Africa, they are really making us proud and help to tell them that we are backing them all the way to winning the trophy. There is no stopping Nigerian football again, we have come to stay at the very top with Coach Keshi. Happy birthday to the Big Boss”, he said excitedly.
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