Chelsea Star Mikel Confirms He WILL Represent Nigeria At 2016 Olympic Games

Chelsea star John Obi Mikel will be one of three over-aged players defending the colours of Nigeria at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, according to his representative.

It is common knowledge that the Super Eagles skipper is one of the experienced players considered for the event, with manager Samson Siasia traveling all the way to London last month to hold talks with the midfielder regarding his availability.

Prior to his appointment as the Nigeria captain, the ex-Lyn Oslo starlet was not interested in representing the Nigeria U23s at the Olympics and was even on the brink of calling time on his career with the senior national team as he felt the way he was treated by former coach Sunday Oliseh wasn’t good.

“Mikel is eager to play for Nigeria at the Olympic Games in Rio. He has confirmed that he will travel to Brazil with the Dream Team,” Mikel’s adviser told allnigeriasoccer.com.

“He could not feature in the Joseph Yobo Testimonial because he had already planned his vacation before he was contacted.

“He just returned to London from Sweden, where he traveled to with his partner and kids.”

If Mikel steps out onto the Amazônia Arena Manaus pitch on August 4 when the Nigeria U23s tackle Japan, he will join a select group of players to have played in the five major tournaments organized by Fifa.

The 29-year-old represented Nigeria at the 2003 Fifa U17 World Cup, 2005 U20 World Cup, 2013 Confederations Cup and 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel