Thirty-one-year old Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel may not quit the national team soon. Even when he was busy packing his bag and baggage to jet out of Russia on Tuesday after Nigeria’s ouster from the World Cup, the former Chelsea star says retirement is not in his agenda yet. Not now, he says.
“I hope I can still be around,” Mikel said after losing 1-2 to Argentina. “It’s a fantastic team, I have enjoyed my time with the national team all of my years. I have never seen a team of young and talented players like this.
“Amazing guys, funny, always nice to be around. The coach as well, we’ve all had a good time since the coach came in, the team have worked.”
After his 85th cap in the Eagles colours in his 13 years of active service to fatherland, football buffs are of the view that Mikel must have seen better days in the national team. His move from England to China being the last straw. But Mikel who started his career with the Golden Eaglets is eyeing a centenary outing before saying au revoire to football at the international level.
Mikel made his debut for the three-time African champions in August 2005 against Libya and he, however, hopes to continue with the team.
He said: “I am really proud of the boys, of everybody, of the coaches, for what we have achieved. Thanks for all the Nigerians back home and the ones who came out to support us.
“We have a group who listen, and want to improve, which is very important for Nigerian football. Nations Cup, we will see, I want to take every year as it comes and see what happens next. The Super Eagles will shift their attention to the 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifiers where we meet Seychelles on September 6.”