Super Eagles captain speaks on Cameroon game and Nigeria’s 2018 FIFA World Cup chances

Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi is confident that Nigeria will qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Nigeria are currently four points clear at the top of Group B in qualifiers and Mikel believes the Super Eagles will be closer to qualification if they win their next game at home against Cameroon.

"We are in a very good position in our group. We have two wins from two games, and in our last game we beat Algeria at home,” Mikel told the official website of FIFA.


“We have a very good young team and the players play good football. If we can win our next match (at home to Cameroon on 31 August) it will edge us closer to qualification. I think we can go through."

Nigeria will face host Cameroon in Uyo on Friday, September 1 before a return leg in Yaoundé on Monday, August 4.


"As everyone knows, they are a very good team,” Mikel said.

“They are strong and they play with confidence. We must get ourselves well prepared for this game and try our best to get on top against them. It won't be easy but these are important matches. If we win both, we will be almost there.”

Mikel has not played for the Super Eagles since the 3-1 home win over Algeria in November 2016, a game which he scored in.

The 30-year-old midfielder in April had a surgery in London for a lingering abdominal strain which sidelined him for more than three months.

Mikel is back training and has promised to do all he can to be fit for the game against Cameroon.


Mikel has returned from injury and is ready to play for the Super Eagles (Instagram/John Mikel Obi )


"I had maintained good form until this injury, so it was a shame. But this is part of the game and now I am focusing on recovery and on coming back stronger. I will do whatever I can to get fit to play for Teda and my national team,” Mikel said.

"This Nigeria team look up to me for advice. My team-mates miss me and they need me. As the captain, I want to fulfil my role and help them with my experience."

Mikel has played in just one FIFA World Cup tournament, Brazil 2014, missing the 2010 edition in South Africa due to injury.

lalasticlala,mynd44
http://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/mikel-obi-speaks-on-super-eagles-2018-fifa-world-cup-chances-id7084620.html

You can if you belief.

O boy mouth no do ham. Just go and win the home 3 points for us.

.

we no get any chance abeg

I don't even want them to qualify

Ok we bliv

One step at a time. We need to win our home match first and that will give us the needed confidence to take them up in their backyard. Leggo Eagles.

Our qualification is in our hand. I just hope and pray we won't bottle it .

muller101:
I don't even want them to qualify

shege

After that South African match, I have written off "Supper Eagles" we need a total overhaul of the NFF, Ministry of sports and most importantly the Buhari administration. Thank you for taking time to read this.

Could vividly remember when mikel was giving the award as second best player behind messi at Netherlands in 2005
Take a look at where messi is today
His at the peak of his game, while mikel playing is final games at a footballer
What are my trying to say is age falsification is killing our players and their careers

I stopped watching Supa Eagus after USA 94 and a bit France 98..Make dis present set nor com give person HBP.Mbanu.wish dem well

baba watin you think

God willing, we shall be there

HugeDan:
we no get any chance abeg

We have all the chances in the world. Let's just hope our coach will select those who really merit the shirt. Iheanacho to me shouldn't be our main striker.

First leg in September, second in August?

We have an average team at best. Only luck will help us at this stage.

Nigeria footballers don start with Newspaper training ooooh
Na in the fp of Complete sport Nigeria football dey win match

Mimi

Hayah:
God willing, we shall be there

Nah so

lordkush:
shege

what do u mean

"noted"

Mikel can be patriotic shaaa.....V Moses already planning to have injury am sha......all the best though.


Wait,imagine if Nigeria team is super eagles, Biafra would be what??

Invincible Eagles I guess

ybalogs:
We have all the chances in the world. Let's just hope our coach will select those who really merit the shirt. Iheanacho to me shouldn't be our main striker.

Who should thenIghallo??ideye??ujah??or even MusaIheanacho is still our best bet man

The game na goal goal n its ova 1.5

Its a must win

derahhh:




Who should thenIghallo??ideye??ujah??or even MusaIheanacho is still our best bet man

Iheanacho do not have that physical attribute to contend with defenders. The height, skill and even ruggedity is lacking in his game. We need a striker that can contest with any defender physically and that can also play with his back to the lost. Not sure Iheanacho fits this. He sure positions himself well and plays better assisting the main striker. That's my thought though.

ybalogs:
Iheanacho do not have that physical attribute to contend with defenders. The height, skill and even ruggedity is lacking in his game. We need a striker that can contest with any defender physically and that can also play with his back to the lost. Not sure Iheanacho fits this. He sure positions himself well and plays better assisting the main striker. That's my thought though.

Yeah you are very right with your analysis made...he isn't physical enough......but who do you think could fill this void......literally nobody other than the 20year old lad... He actually thrived in the under 17s as the player behind Awoniyi#striker#