Super Eagles captain Obi Mikel has charged his teammates to show the fighting spirit that saw them through the qualifiers for the Russia 2018 World Cup at the tournament, saying he is happy that the team will go into the World Cup in Russia as underdogs.
The Eagles are the lowest ranked team by FIFA in the group that has Argentina, Croatia and Iceland.
But the former Chelsea star said this would challenge the Eagles to give their best in Russia.
“Being underdogs is good for us. It means we have to do more, we have to be humble,” he said at a press conference on Friday in Uyo.
“That means we can do better than what people expect us to do. We have to do better than we have ever done. It will be tough because we’re in a tough group and so our first game (against Croatia) is very important. It’s important we win that game.”
Mikel told the Eagles to show the unity that got them through the tough qualifying group that included African champions Cameroon and Algeria.
He said, “One thing that will help us is we need to be together, play as a team, and the fighting spirit we have all this time, we need to show it in Russia.
“We need to continue the way we have done. We are a young and energetic team. We go as one, Nigeria and the team come first.”
The captain praised coach Gernot Rohr for his efforts on the team. He said the German coach was a major factor behind the country’s resurgence after they failed to qualify for the last two consecutive editions of the African Cup of Nations.
He added, “One difference is the coach. The coach is a great man manager and (he pays) attention to details for every game we will play. Little details decide games. I have never seen that in the other national teams I have played will all due respect.”
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Source: Punch
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